Program. Little rock city manager [ inaudible ] committee. Nancy russo, president of Little Rock Central High School. [ cheers and applause ] michael poor, superintendent of the Little Rock School district. [ applause ] dr. Henry louis gates, the Fletcher University professor and director. [ applause ] the honestly mark stoat mayor of little rock. [ applause ] cameron scholly regional director National Park service. [ applause ] the honestly asa hutchinson, governor of arkansas. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the 42nd president of the United States, William Jefferson clinton. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, please give a special welcome to the little rock nine, elizabeth he can eck bert. Ernst gray. Gloria ray car mark. Carlotta walls la near. Dr. Terrence roberts. Minnijean brown. Thelma mothershed ware. And join us in remembering the late Jefferson Thomas. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, the little rock nine. [ cheers and applause ] please welcome to the podium our emsy for the day, educational and Community Leader and the first africanamerican to attend Little Rock Central High School for 10th, 11th and 12th grads before graduating in 1962, dr. Sib ill jordan hampton. [ applause ] please be seated. Thank you. Good morning. Welcome to this historic day. Thank you to each of you who are here today. Some have traveled from down the block and others have come from around the country and overseas. As i look out into this crowd, i see many familiar faces, many longtime friends. I also see many new faces. No matter how far you traveled to be here, or how many people in this room you know, please know we are honor to have you here without you here in this audience, the event would not be complete. You are a key component of this commemoration ceremony. Now please rise for the presentation of colors by the arkansas 31st air force junior rotc from Little Rock Central High School. This will be followed by the pledge allegiance. This pledge will be led by the student body president s of each of Little Rocks School districts five high schools. Aaron farmer of Little Rock Central High School, Shayla Williams of ja fair high school, Mohammed Malik of hall high school, siera love of john l. High school and Katherine Cullin of magnet high school. After the pledge, pamela smith, director of communications for the Little Rock School district will sing the national anthem. Present colors. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. O say, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . [ applause ] forward march. Our opening prayer will be given by dr. Laverne bell tolliver pastor of cmc church. Good morning. Good morning. I stand here first on behalf of the ua little rock and members of bulllock Temple Methodist Church who enjoyed a rich one church, one School Partnership with Central High School to the remaining members of the little rock nine, i stand and thank you also on behalf of phase two of the desegregation process, the first 25 to deseg gras gate the five junior high schools. Thank you for blazing the trail. Let us now before the throne of grace. God, of our weary years, god of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far on the way. Thou who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path we pray. Father, as we approach you today we rejoice and say thank you. We remember how far you have brought us. Thank you, lord, for allowing this Courageous Group of former members, students known forever as the little rock nine to willingly put on their armor as they fought injustice. We thank you for allowing their actions and those of others around this state and country to ultimately topple many of the laws that prevented equal access to books, equipment and schools that were not outdated or substandard. Thank you also father for allowing them to be the forerunners of change and eradicators of jim crow laws that held our foreparents in the cruel grip of post slavery times. Now father, we thank you for allowing this Group Present today to shine your clear penetrating light on situations that continue to need enhancement. You know, lord, that our Public Schools still need improvement on many levels, allow us, father, to remain diligent and faithful in the pursuing the cause for all students of every race, creed, color and gender with the opportunity to receive a Quality Public School education. Help us remember the paths for the purpose of building a better, stronger, brighter and more successful future together for every child, eequip our families, faith, communities, organizations and public academic institutions with the resources and willingness to Work Together to help every child succeed. We thank you and we praise you in jesus name, amen. Amen. You may be seated. This is a room filled with dignitaries. We have current and former elected officials from federal, state and local government. We have heads of state agencies, higher education, institutions and churches as well as civil rights leaders. Also in the audience is the delegation from our sister city in new castle, united kingdom. In the interest of time, we are not going to recognize each person by name, but to each and every one of you and to all those gathered today, welcome. Thank you for being here. I want to take this time to remember one who is not here, on september 5th, 2010, Jefferson Thomas passed away. We are honored to have his widow mary here with us today. As a tribute to jeff, we have an empty chair on the stage, draped in a ribbon of centrals colors of old gold and black. Please join me in a moment of silence for Jefferson Thomass memory. Thank you. As we move into the comments portion of our program, it is my distinct pleasure to bring forward two individuals who served as student body president s of little rock central high. Both also served a decade ago as members of the 50th anniversary Steering Committee. She now works for the Clinton Foundation in new york city and he is an attorney and banker who is a former member of the Arkansas House of representatives. Joy sakubin and darren williams. Lets welcome them. [ applause ] 60 years ago today, the seen was much different in this auditorium and the hallways of this school, yes, there were Police Officers and media and people milling about on this campus, but as we now know the tone and tener of the day was one of hostility, not hospitality. It was a day of anxiety and anger, not appreciation and applause. Elected officials were staying far away from campus even if their presence was still felt. On behalf of all the fellow Little Rock Central High School student body president s over the years, darren welcome everyone to this school. Our beloved alma mater where six decades ago obstruction was the order of the day but now we celebrate a school where openness is the rule. This year little rock central high turns 90 years old. Over the years tens of thousands of students have walked through these halls, each student with a story to tell. As i look at the seniors who are gathered on stage, i think of my own two children who are recent graduates of central, i am honored to be a part of the story of this school. Its fitting that today we are in the Roosevelt Thompson auditorium with the little rock nine. Rosie was a brilliant mind and a rising star not only in the state and this nation. The experience that he had were feasible because of his time here at central. In the opportunities he had at central were made possible by the courage swrus efforts of the little rock nine. Today over 27 languages are spoken at the homes of central high students. Regardless of our race or our ethnicity, we all owe a debt of gratitude to little rock nine and as birthday girl ann ai abrams reminds us all, we pay that debt through service. [ applause ] so welcome to Little Rock Central High School. Hail to the old gold, hail to the black. [ applause ] thank you, joy and darren. Though, president eisenhower had tried to broker an agreement with governor falbrus through the effort of congressman brook hayes it was not until little rock mayor woodrow man pleaded for federal intervention that the president sent in the 101st airborne. I now present to you to bring greetings, the current mayor of little rock, mark stotala. [ applause ] good morning, everyone. Good morning. Thank you. Today as a city and americans, we pause to reflect on the events of september 25th, 1957 as one of the first struggles of the Civil Rights Movement. We are here commemorating the 60th anniversary of the opening of these High School Doors to nine Young High School students who endured incredible adversity to integrate central high and the profound impact that it made and continues to make on the is of equality and opportunity. Not just on this city and state. Not just on this country but the world. When ernest green, marched as a senior to receive his diploma, the world noticed, and dr. Martin luther king was there seated in the stands to witness the occasion. Today we acknowledge this painful moment in our past, and we reflect on the progress we have made. As was mentioned, we are sitting in the Roosevelt Thompson auditorium, named after one of little rocks most gifted students. A yale scholar, and student body president who was taken from us too soon. A young man that was given an opportunity and did he ever excel. The legacy of the little rock 9 demands we rededicate ourselves to the progress that remains unfinished. I want to thank you for continuing to come back to little rock and commemorate this significant day. It does not go unnoticed that most of you left little rock after your High School Days and pursued opportunities elsewhere realizing the importance of finding that opportunity wherever it existed. Much of our work here in little rock centers on the idea of opportunity. How do we ensure that all our people have access to opportunity to pursue their dreams. Recently i saw the film hidden figures. About the female mathematicians at nasa. It struck me it was set in 1961, seven years after the decision of brown versus board of education, the Supreme Court decision. And yet, in 1961 virginia, the resistance to integration was ram pan the. However, three brilliant africanamerican women at nasa were given the opportunity to excel. And in so doing, served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history. The successful launch of john glenn into orbit. That story like the individual Success Stories of the little rock nine exemplifies what people are capable of when given an opportunity i cannot help but think of the responsibilities that had transpired, had they had the opportunity to accomplish the work they achieved in the last 60 years, had it not been right here for little rock. The stakes are incredibly high. And every time a child is brought into this world those continue to rise. How do we harness the potential of every child and person in our city. Accomplishing that goal is complicated. And requires the involvement of every part of our community. It cannot be done by government alone. It requires a Stable Family structure, no matter how big or what that family looks like. Early childhood education is key, and graduation is paramount. Health and proper nutrition are essential for learning. So is the physical environment. Work skills on a job, making more than a minimum wage plays a huge role in a persons ability to maximize opportunity. As i reflect on the progress that we have made here as a city. I recognize that while we have made great stwrids, we still have much work to do. At city hall, these goals are what keep us going in the areas where we can help. It is why through the recovery act 8. 6 million was injected into the neighborhoods south of 630. Over 100 Housing Units were created in these very neighborhoods right here around central high. Its why each year, young people become world changers, in the course of two weeks, transformed the homes of elderly citizens on fixed incomes in some of our most challenged neighborhoods. Its why this friday, thanks to president clintons americorps program, we will have 30 people working year round cleaning up the hotspots in ow city that are prone to crime. Its why through our multiple felony reentry employment programs, we are giving people a second chance. I will be the first to say theres so much more for us to do. As much as anything. Accomplishing this goal requires being given an opportunity. Because we have seen that given an opportunity our people can overcome almost any challenge. So my challenge to all of us, to our city today is to use the examples set by the little rock 9 and share the opportunities you have been given. There is much work to do. Do not pull up the ladder behind you mentor a child. Encourage education and success help a young adult getting a job and getting into the workforce. Use the opportunities that you have been given and that disagree, high school or college that youve earned to give back and help the next generation of leaders in our city. The central high crisis of 1957 is part of our history, but it does not have to be our legacy. Our legacy is the story of how far we have come in the resolve to continue the Unfinished Business of opening the doors to opportunity. Indeed the legacy of the little rock nine requires it. Let us take this reflective day as a spring board to debt indicating ourselves to this mission. Seize the day, seize the opportunity, our future depends on it. Thank you very much. Through the efforts of u. S. Senators of bumpers and hutchinson, along with vick snyder, little rock central high was declared a National Historic site, that legislation as we know, was signed into law by president bill clinton. Central high school is the only National Park site that is also a functioning high school, representing the National ParkService Today is mr. Cameron shalli. Welcome. Good morning. Its great to be in a room filled with so many generations of inspiring people. Before i get started, this is a special shout out to nancy rousse rousseau. Shes such a tremendous partner here, its incredible. Thanks to the School District and the city for having us here. On behalf of the National Parks service, including robin white and her tremendous team. We are so proud to be a part of this event with you commemorating this important anniversary. Not just as an organizations that committed to telling the history of the site in perpendicular tuitety. But as your partner and fellow citizens. The National Parks service proudly manages a system of parks in this country that represent a remarkable collection of places that enshrine our principles, and remind us constantly of the tremendous sacrifices that americans like the little rock nine have made on behalf of this country. It really is our privilege as your steward, to protect some of americas most incredible places and tell some of americas most important historical events. Its an honor that we take very seriously. Little Rock Central High School is all of those things. Its an incredible place with incredible people. And its a very important part of our nations history. As all of us know, there are parts of that history that are not easy to talk about, stories that are painful and difficult to tell. But its essential that we tell them, and we do it in a way that keeps them in the forefront of the american conscience opinion that we translate the lessons and sacrifices of the past into the dialogue of the present and the future. The events that occurred here 60 years ago, transformed america into a better country. It forced our nation to look in the mirror and face its own image while the conflict between the state and federal government occurred in public, the real battle was here in this building, in these classrooms, weighing on the shoulders of nine Young American students who were serving as ambassadors of change and moral courage. When the Historic Site was established in 1998 by the u. S. Congress and president bill clinton thank you, sir that effort that so many of you in here played a part of assured that the events that transpired here will never fade into history. President clinto