New Members Reception Preserves the Legacy of Lincoln

United States Capitol Historical Society Statuary Hall Reception for New Members of the 111th Congress, May 13, 2009

As the country struggles through one of the most challenging times in its history, the United States Capitol Historical Society asked Members of Congress and schools in their districts to reflect on the meaning of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.

These written reflections were deposited in a time capsule at a reception hosted by the Society in Statuary Hall on May 13, 2009 to honor the New Members of the 111th Congress.  The time capsule will be sealed in a special ceremony on July 23, 2009 at the Library of Congress. 

Fifty-five Members offered their personal thoughts about the lasting influence of Abraham Lincoln, a Freshman Member of the 30th Congress and the 16th President of the United States. Their constituents, including students from more than sixty schools from all parts of the country, the Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands, also reflected on the contributions of our Nation’s most renowned leader. These reflections will teach future generations of Americans about Lincoln and the legacy of the 111th Congress.

The accompanying photos show some of the Members of Congress placing their reflections, along with those from schools located in their districts, in the time capsule, which will be preserved in the Library of Congress for the next fifty years to be opened on the 250th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Actor and playwright, Paul Morella, is shown portraying Abraham Lincoln.


List of Participating Schools and Congressional Sponsors


All photographs by Portraitions by Katie Garlock

Commemorative plaque on the floor  of Statuary Hall denotes location of Abraham Lincoln’s desk during his only term as a Member of Congress (1847-1849).		Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) prepares to take the podium to welcome Members of Congress and invited guests to U.S. Capitol Historical Society’s New Members of Congress Reception.   She is flanked on the left by Ron Sarasin, President of USCHS on the right, and USCHS Chairman of the Board, Tom Coleman.
Guests give their full attention while listening to various guest speakers.		Guests give their full attention while listening to various guest speakers.
Members of Congress pose with Abraham Lincoln (portrayed by actor Paul Morella) to present their personal reflections on Lincoln and those of schools in their Congressional Districts. Congressman John Fleming (LA) / School: Captain Shreve High School - Shreveport, LA		U.S. Senator Roland Burris (IL) / School: Logan Junior High School -  Princeton, Ill.
Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (WY) / School:  East High School – Cheyenne, WY / Ms. Wawrzyniak’s Social Studies Class		U. S. Senator Jim Risch (ID) / School:  Madison Senior High School - Rexburg, ID
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson  (TX) / School:  Dallas Independent School – Dallas, TX		Congressman Parker Griffith (AL), with wife Virginia and children / School: Virgil I. Grissom High School – Huntsville, AL.

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