Washington, DC
– At a celebration of the opening of the latest
traveling exhibition at the National Archives:
Fighting for Democracy: Who Is the “We” in “We,
the People?” The Foundation for the National
Archives recognized The Boeing Company for their
continued support.
The exhibit, which opened Friday, January 29, 2010, in
the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery of the National Archives
Building in Washington, D.C., is based on the lives,
actions, and decisions of a diverse group of individuals
who sought equal rights for their families and
communities during World War II. It uses the war as a
case study to begin discussion about how women and
minorities have expanded the meaning of “we” in “We, the
people.” Following the experiences of seven people and
tracing their stories throughout the pre-war, war, and
post-war periods, the exhibit invites visitors to think
critically about freedom, history, and ultimately, the
ongoing experience of living in a diverse America.
Presented by the National Center for the Preservation of
Democracy, an educational program of the Japanese
American National Museum in Los Angeles, Fighting for
Democracy will be on view at the National Archives
for one month, ending on February 28, 2010. The exhibit
is made possible with major support from The Boeing
Company and the U.S. Army Center for Military History,
and with additional support by the Foundation for the
National Archives. Boeing is also the national sponsor
of the exhibit and its 10-city tour.
An
opening reception in the National Archives’ Rotunda
Galleries and preview of the exhibition on Thursday,
January 28, was hosted by Archivist of the United States
David S. Ferriero, with special guests Senator Daniel K.
Inouye, Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing
Defense, Space & Security, and Akemi Kikumura Yano,
president and CEO of the Japanese American National
Museum.
“As a long-time partner of the Foundation for the
National Archives, The Boeing Company is pleased to
support JANM and Fighting for Democracy at the
National Archives,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president
and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This
extraordinary exhibit celebrates real people who
challenged our nation to live up to its ideal of
guaranteeing equal rights to all citizens – much as Sen.
Inouye has done in a lifetime of sacrifice and public
service.”
“We are thrilled to receive the support of The Boeing
Company for this event, and thank the company for its
ongoing commitment to the National Archives’ Boeing
Learning Center, where teachers and students from around
the country, as well as visitors to the National
Archives Experience in Washington learn more every
day about the records held in trust for the American
people by the National Archives,” Archivist of the
United States David S. Ferriero said.
“We appreciate so much the ongoing partnership with The
Boeing Company,” said Foundation President Ken Lore.
“This support provided by Boeing is one way that the
Foundation, with the help of our other generous
contributors, continues to promote the National Archives
and works to improve history and civics education
nationwide.”
About the
Foundation for the National Archives
The Foundation for the National Archives is an
independent nonprofit that serves as the National
Archives’ private-sector partner in the creation of and
ongoing support of the National Archives Experience,
which includes permanent exhibits, educational programs,
traveling exhibits, special events and film screenings,
educational literature, and historical/records-related
products and media. The Foundation helps the public
understand the importance of the holdings of the
National Archives by presenting the depth and diversity
of the records through award-winning, interactive
educational exhibits and programs. It generates
financial and creative support for the National Archives
Experience from individuals, foundations, and
corporations who share a belief in the importance of
innovative civics education.