Press Release: Arkansas Students To Be Invited To Clinton Center Grand Opening
Students representing every public school district in Arkansas are being invited to attend the November 18 dedication ceremony of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.
Two students and one faculty member or administrator from each of the state's 258 districts will be special guests of former President Clinton at the grand opening of America's 12th Presidential Library.
“I hope this Library not only educates young people about America's transition into the 21st century, but also inspires them to get involved in the life of their communities and consider public service,” said President Clinton. “I am so pleased that more than a thousand students representing all areas of Arkansas will be able to participate in this event.”
In addition to the statewide district representation, individual schools in Pulaski County will be able to send two students and a faculty member. The districts and schools will be able to select their own representatives.
“At President Clinton's request, about 1,300 students and teachers will be part of one of the most historic events in Arkansas' history,” said Clinton Foundation President Skip Rutherford. “We have had an overwhelming number of requests from schools and educators,” Rutherford said. “Because of space limitations at our dedication site in the Clinton Presidential Park, unfortunately, we will not be able to fulfill all of them, although we sincerely wish we could. However, we want to make sure every school district in the state has the opportunity to be represented. With these Arkansas students included, and because of the tremendous response to our invitations from people throughout the state, the country and all over the world, our approximately 27,000-seat site is now at capacity.”
Rutherford said the Arkansas districts and Pulaski County schools would be receiving letters from the Clinton Foundation in the near term outlining specific details including ticket, parking and transportation information.
During President Clinton's tenure as Governor of Arkansas, he and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton annually invited valedictorians and salutatorians from each of the state's high schools to a reception at the Governor's Mansion, a tradition that continues to this day. “In the same spirit, President Clinton wants to make sure Arkansas students from all over the state are also part of the library opening,” Rutherford said.
Because of the much larger than anticipated response to the dedication ceremony, Rutherford said the Clinton Foundation, in cooperation with the city of Little Rock and Arkansas Globecoming, will set up large screens on President Clinton Avenue in the River Market area for people to watch the grand opening. Clinton Avenue from LaHarpe to the Library site will be closed to vehicle traffic on November 18.
“In anticipation of overflow crowds and for people who just want to be part of the festive atmosphere, Arkansas Globecoming already had exciting public events planned during the dedication day, including an arts and crafts market and music in the River Market Pavilion,” Rutherford said. “We are just adding to that by installing video monitors on Clinton Avenue. This will enhance Globecoming's block party atmosphere and allow downtown workers and those who are not able to attend the dedication to enjoy the festivities.”
Rutherford said many merchants in the River Market area, including the Clinton Museum Store at 610 Clinton Avenue, would remain open during the dedication program.
Rutherford said the Foundation would be mailing tickets to the dedication during the last week in October. He said those whose ticket requests could not be fulfilled as a result of capacity limitations, could still experience the excitement by being part of the Globecoming activities in the Rivermarket.
“It's going to be a great week for Arkansas and for people coming to visit us here in Little Rock,” Rutherford said. “And we are really happy that more than a thousand young people will be able to witness history in the making.”
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