Feb. 15, 2008

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries and the Michigan Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee today introduced an intriguing way to think about state leadership. Dr. William Anderson, HAL director and chair of Michigan's Lincoln bicentennial committee, today announced that the Fetzer Institute is providing $50,000 in support of the Lincoln Leadership Series for Michigan legislators, a program that Fetzer hopes will become a model for the rest of the country. The generous funding was among a handful of Lincoln bicentennial events, programs and initiatives announced today at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing.

Senator Cameron Brown and Representative Terry Brown joined Dr. Anderson in making today's announcements.

"Abraham Lincoln was a tremendous statesman, a protector of principles, and a champion of the average man," said Dr. Anderson. "Dozens of other states are celebrating Lincoln's legacy in their own meaningful ways. I can think of no greater way for Michigan residents to honor his life than by embracing his ideals and learning from his example."

The Fetzer Institute launched the Lincoln Leadership Series in May 2007 with an event in Washington, D.C., that brought together members of Congress, Hill staff, authors, scholars, community and business leaders and other key partners. The goal of Michigan's Lincoln Leadership Series is to effect change in Lansing using Lincoln as a guide, connecting the past with our shared future.

"When we evaluate past leaders, especially Abraham Lincoln, we can see the importance of compassion and reconciliation. These qualities are needed in our public life more than ever today," said Shirley Showalter, vice president for programs of the Fetzer Institute. "We are honored to partner with the Michigan Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee in offering the Lincoln Leadership Series to our state legislators so that we might all work from what Lincoln called 'the better angels of our nature.'"

Michigan is one of many states that are paying tribute to our 16^th president, in honor of the 200^th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, Feb. 12, 2009. The Michigan Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee has adopted Feb. 12, 2008, through Feb. 12, 2010, as the official duration of Michigan's Lincoln celebration.

The Michigan House and Michigan Senate passed a joint resolution that recognizes Michigan's many ties to Lincoln and his life as president, statesman and everyday citizen, and invites residents to "derive inspiration and benefit from the study of the life, words and deeds of our nation's 16^th president."

A comprehensive Web site (http://www.milincoln.org), hosted by the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, offers visitors a full and growing calendar of statewide events, re-enactments, roundtables and more, devoted to interpreting and sharing Lincoln's legacy with Michigan residents of all ages; "This Week in the Life of Lincoln," a detailed look at key moments in the president's journey; a collection of Michigan's sometimes surprising Lincoln connections; links to Lincoln resources and scholarly works; and details about the Michigan Abraham Lincoln Committee members.

"The Hauenstein Center is proud to help with this statewide effort to bring greater recognition to Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy. His contributions to modernizing America and civil rights make him one of the most important leaders in the world in the 19th century," said Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center. "Through our Web updates and speaker series, we will give Michigan the opportunity to know Abraham Lincoln up close and personal."

The Michigan Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee also announced:

• Waverly Middle School English and history teacher Sam Sicilia will pen an original Abraham Lincoln play intended for use by 4^th- and 8^th-graders and community groups.  Sicilia is a graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in history.  Currently, 13 schools have already committed to perform the play:
  
  
  • Autrain-Onota Public School (Deerton);
  • Bellaire Elementary (Bellaire);
  • Fort Gratiot Middle School (Port Huron Public Schools);
  • Kennedy Elementary (Livonia);
  • Lottie Schmidt Elementary (Anchor Bay);
  • Madison Middle School (Adrian);
  • Marion Public Jr/Sr High School (Marion Public Schools);
  • Randolph Elementary (Livonia);
  • Ritter Elementary (Airport Community Schools);
  • Trombly Elementary (Grosse Pointe Public Schools);
  • Washington Elementary (East China);
  • Waverly Middle School (Waverly); and
  • Yale Elementary (Yale Community Schools).

• The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will perform Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait."
  


• Michigan History magazine will publish a tribute book, bringing together the many good and touching Lincoln stories that have a Michigan connection. This single volume will be a lasting commemoration of the bicentennial of Lincoln's birthday and will be available by February 2009.
  


• The Hauenstein Center will sponsor two major events: "Lincoln & Douglas: The Debates That Defined America" - a presentation by Lincoln scholar Allen Guelzo; and "Jim Getty: Meet Abraham Lincoln" - a face-to-face meeting with Abraham Lincoln.

The national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Web site, www.lincolnbicentennial.gov, offers even more celebration information, including lesson plans, quizzes for kids, a Lincoln bookshelf, texts and excerpts from Lincoln speeches, a comprehensive biography and much more.

Dr. Anderson, noting Michigan's many connections to Abraham Lincoln, invited residents to consider how they might celebrate the 200^th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. "Whether you're in a small, rural town or a busy urban center, an elementary school student or a seasoned business professional, Lincoln's words, actions and beliefs can touch us all. Don't miss this opportunity to find your connection to our country's greatest president."

Michigan is home to the country's first land grant college, Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University), the result of Lincoln's signing of the Morrill Land Grant Colleges Act, to "promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life."

Additionally, Michigan has more than 65 cities and towns and numerous schools named in his honor, and several of our museums house pivotal Lincoln memorabilia. Among them are a letter from 10-year-old Grace Bedell to Lincoln, telling him to grow a beard, and the Logan County Courthouse (relocated from Postville, Ill., to Greenfield Village) in which Lincoln practiced law.

The Michigan Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee, chaired by Dr. Anderson, includes Sen. Cameron Brown; Elaine Didier, director, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum; Brian Flanagan, assistant director, Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, Grand Valley State University; Sen. Tom George; Michelle Johnson, director, Michigan Freedom Trail Commission; Christian Overland, vice president - museums and collections, The Henry Ford; Dan Packer, president, Plymouth Historical Society; Weldon Petz, Lincoln lecturer and scholar; Doug Roberts, director, Institute for Public Policy & Social Research, Michigan State University; Roger Rosentreter, editor, Michigan History magazine; Daniel J. Schairbaum, Dykema Gossett PLLC and Michigan State Bar; Sen. Buzz Thomas; Karen Todorov, social studies consultant, Michigan Department of Education; and Gleaves Whitney, director, Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies.

The Fetzer Institute's mission, to foster awareness of the power of love and forgiveness in the emerging global community, rests on its conviction that efforts to address the critical issues facing the world must go beyond political, social and economic strategies to their psychological and spiritual roots. The Institute works with global leaders, organizations and individuals to bring the power of love and forgiveness to the center of individual, community and organizational life. For information on the Fetzer Institute and its Campaign for Love & Forgiveness, visit www.fetzer.org.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries, formed in 2001, works to enrich quality of life and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity. The department includes the Library of Michigan, Mackinac State Historic Parks, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).