Wayne Morse Statue Dedication -- Lane County Courthouse Plaza
3/15/05
WAYNE MORSE FREE SPEECH PLAZA REMARKS
Contact: Melinda Kletzok, Public Information, 682.3747
In case you were unable to attend or would like the notes, here are the remarks made at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza Dedication and Statue Unveiling earlier today.
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WELCOME
Larry Perry - Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation (WMHPC) Board Member
Good morning. I’m Larry Perry, vice president of the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation Board and Chair of the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza and Statue Project. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here this morning for the dedication of this Plaza and the statue of the late Senator Wayne Morse. As many of you know, this project has been long in the making. It is a public/private partnership between Lane County Government, the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation and more than 700 citizen and corporate contributors. Those contributors are both local and from around the nation.
Wayne Morse, in many ways, embodies the spirit and independence of Eugene, Oregon and our nation. As a four-term U.S. Senator, he became widely known for his independent stands and reasoned debate. The Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation Board is dedicated to the preservation of his legacy. The Board embarked on the long journey to rename this plaza in his honor and to provide an enduring reminder of his presence here over 20 years ago.
It is with great honor that members of the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation Board are here today to see the fulfillment of that promise.
And now... I would like to ask Bill Dwyer, Lane County Commissioner and the County’s Chair to the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza and Statue Project to share information about the Plaza project.
THE LANE COUNTY PLAZA PROJECT
Bill Dwyer, Lane County Commissioner
Thanks Larry. Commissioners Bobby Green, Anna Morrison, Peter Sorenson, Faye Stewart and I are delighted to welcome each of you here today for this important event.
As Larry said, this project has been long in the making.
The Board of County Commissioners originally agreed to this public private project in 1986. The Board agreed with the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation that this improved space would better “...enable Lane County citizens to exercise their precious rights of free speech and assembly.”
It is with pride that I look out upon this plaza! It looks great!
As the front door to Lane County Government, this plaza is now a safer and more attractive entrance to county government.
But it symbolizes more than that. It is a space for our citizens and our guests to gather and to celebrate their first amendment right and it is a tribute to a man who symbolizes independence and reasoned judgment...a touchstone for this community.
There have been many who have labored long and hard to make this project a reality.
I’d like to start by adding my thanks to the today’s Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation Board and to its past members.
Back in 1974, just after the Senator died unexpectedly, a group of friends and supporters got together to save the families 26-acre farm on Crest Drive from development. This tenacious group prevailed and today the home and grounds are a public space that we can all enjoy.
This same group of tenacious friends and supporters initiated the spark that has led to the creation of this public space, now preserved in the late Senator’s honor. Much of the work was spear-headed by Charles O. Porter, former Congressman and friend to Wayne Morse.
Let’s give Charlie a round of applause!
The group continued over the years to work on the project. In 1999 former Lane County Commissioner Jerry Rust, myself and the Park Board renewed it’s commitment to the project and fund-raising began in earnest.
Today we celebrate the completion of this work. The resulting design and work are to the credit of many.
I’d like to recognize those folks at this time:
First, let me give credit to Dave Suchart. He has been a tireless advocate of
Lane County’s building projects and has spent countless hours making sure that all details of this project met with the County’s and the Corporation’s expectations.
Next I’d like to recognize the following who helped build this project
Bill Seider - WBGS Architects
Kevin Buck - WBGS Architects
Art Paz - APAZ Architects
Sara Geddes - Satre & Associates
Janet Pardee - Balzhiser & Hubbard Engineers
Walt Warner Warner Engineering
Brad Tindall - John Hyland Construction
Shaun Nestle - John Hyland Construction
This project was made possible in part by generous contributions from friends, admirers and supporters of Wayne Morse.
At this time I would like to introduce my friend and the former Senator’s friend, Aaron Jones.Aaron represents an essential part of this county’s economy and natural resources. As a timber mill owner, he has supported family wage jobs and stimulated economic growth in this community.
A business leader, major contributor to this project and my friend, please help me welcome Aaron Jones.
MEMORIES OF SENATOR MORSE
Aaron Jones
(No text available)
Larry Perry
Thank you, Aaron.
There are over 700 contributors to thank for this project. Please join me in
giving them a big round of applause. Both Senator Wyden and Senator Smith contributed to the completion of this plaza and would have liked to have been here today. Because they are both busy doing the “people’s work,” Wayne would have understood. They have send along letters they would like to share with you.
Larry reads letters.
I’d like to thank their aides, Terri Moffet and Juine Chada, for being here today to represent the Senators.
THE FREE SPEECH PLAZA PROJECT
Laura Olson, WMHPC President
Good morning everyone.
It’s my pleasure to be here today for this historic event.
I’m Laura Olson, President of the Wayne Morse Historic Park Corporation Board.
Before I begin my remarks, I’d like to welcome Karmen Fore, aide to
Congressman DeFazio. Peter has been a long-time supporter of this project and great admirer of Wayne Morse and Karmen is my friend. Peter also wanted to be here today but because he too is “doing the people’s work,” it is my privilege to read his letter.
On behalf of the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation, let me say how
delighted we are to see this project complete!
Some 50 wall plaques are inscribed with quotations that support the spirit of this plaza, a place where we can all gather freely and express our viewpoints. On the floor of the plaza you will see individual pavers. Some were purchased as a remembrance for Living and deceased citizens.
Others beseech the on-looker to speak their mind and exercise their right to
vote.
Among the pavers are some the names the Project Committee has added that
represent some of Morse’s contemporaries or events that occurred in the 20th century.
I want to credit Jan Mueller, Darrelle Baker, Elinore Darland, Jayne Mickles, Cliff Milbank, the engraver-Lisa Ponder, and especially Larry Perry for contributing their time over several years to see this project through.
These granite and marble stones will outlast most of us and help be a reminder to generations to follow of the vibrancy and significance of the 20th century.
I’d also like to add the Park Board’s thanks to Scott Bartlett, George Alverge, Jerry Rust, Charles Porter, Bill Dwyer and Peter DeFazio and Mark Hatfield for helping make this plaza a reality.
Although this project has spanned 20 years and credit goes to so many, I want to especially thank Larry Perry for all the countless hours he has given to see this project through to it’s glorious conclusion. Thank you Larry.
Conmissioner Bill Dwyer introduces Governor Ted Kulongoski
It’s my pleasure to introduce my old friend, Governor Ted Kulongoski.
He has many things in common with Wayne Morse.Like Morse, Governor Kulongoski was not born in Oregon, but it did become his home.
Like Morse, Governor Kulongoski worked his way through college and went on receive a law degree.
Like Morse, Governor Kulongoski respects the rule of law.
Like Morse, Governor Kulongoski has worked for the people’s interest.
Like Morse, Governor Kulongoski has been an advocate for free speech.
Like Morse, Governor Kulongoski supports the civil rights of all.
and like Morse, Governor Kulongoski loves Oregon...it’s unique character and many outdoor wonders. He opened his law practice here in Lane County and has a special feeling for this community.
Please join me in welcoming Oregon’s Governor.
REMARKS BY GOVERNOR TED KULONGOSKI
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Thank you Bill for your introduction – and your many years of friendship. I also want to acknowledge and thank Mayor Piercy, Bill’s fellow Lane County Commissioners; Former Eugene Mayor, Jim Torry; Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken; Laura Olson, Larry Perry and all the members of the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation Board; and the wonderful artist Gabriel Ponzanelli.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t recognize my friend Monroe Sweetland – who I see in the audience – and Aaron Jones for his wonderful comments about his friend Wayne Morse. And the many friends and admirers of Senator Wayne Morse who are here today.
You come from many places and many walks of life. Some of you worked with Wayne Morse and knew him well. Others simply – and deeply – value what he stood for.
But all of us share a common love and admiration for Wayne Morse – and a recognition that Oregon would be a much different place without him.
I know that creating this free speech plaza was a labor of love for this community.
I also know that it took many years – and countless hours – of hard work. So to each of you – I express my heartfelt appreciation for building this plaza as a tribute to the man who bears its name – and for making this day possible.
As most of you know, Wayne Morse died unexpectedly in 1974 while fighting to win back his seat in the United States Senate. Although I was a young labor lawyer and state legislator from Lane County at the time, I must have made some positive impression on him because one day he gave me a kitten that was born at the farm.
The kitten’s name was Sancho – like the faithful and levelheaded companion of Don Quixote. Given the name – I assumed that the kitten would likewise be, calm levelheaded, and easy to get along with. But Sancho didn’t take after his fictional namesake – he took after his real first owner.
Sancho was an orange-stripped tabby. He looked like a miniature tiger and was the most cantankerous, stubborn and irascible cat that you’d ever want to meet.
On top of all that – Sancho would filibuster. The only way I could get him to pipe down was to give him what he wanted. But none of this mattered. I loved Sancho because his orange stripes reminded me of the cantankerous patriot and visionary who gave him to me: Wayne Morse –The Tiger of the Senate
Senator Morse was hero of mine then. And he is a hero of mine still.
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I’d like to read you something President Kennedy wrote in his book Profiles in Courage: “The Republican Party when I entered Congress was big enough to hold both Robert Taft and Wayne Morse. And the Democratic side of the Senate, in which I now serve, can happily embrace both Harry Byrd and . . .Wayne Morse.”
In those two short sentences, we understand why we are dedicating this free speech plaza to Wayne Morse. Party mattered to Wayne Morse. But principle mattered much more.
As a Republican, Senator Morse broke with the nominee of his party in the middle of the 1952 presidential election. And 12 years later, as a Democrat, he broke with the President Johnson – casting one of only two votes against the Gulf of Tonkin resolution.
Throughout his long political career, Senator Morse followed the dictates of his conscience. But he wasn’t just a fighter for free speech – he was a practitioner. Wayne Morse understood that the right of free speech is meaningless if citizens remain silent in the face of injustice.
So he believed in dissent and practiced it regularly – to the great annoyance of the powerful, and the great benefit of Oregon and the American people.
Because of Senator Morse’s legendary battles on behalf of civil rights and civil liberties – and against the Vietnam War, we sometimes overlook what I consider to be his most important contribution to free speech: Making education a national priority.
In the 1972 case, Wisconsin v. Yoder, the United States Supreme Court said, “[E]ducation is necessary to prepare citizens to participate effectively and intelligently in our open political system."
In other words, the right of free expression – the lifeblood of our democracy – depends on an educated citizenry. No one understood this connection better than Wayne Morse, which is why no one fought harder to improve education – including post-secondary education –than Wayne Morse.
In the Senate, he was literally known as Mr. Education. Working with Congresswoman Edith Green – also from Oregon – Wayne Morse won passage of a series of education bills that President Johnson collectively called a “legislative miracle.”
The list includes: The Vocational Education Act; the Higher Education Facilities Act; the National Defense Education Act Amendments of 1964 – which dramatically increased the number of graduate fellowships; the Elementary and Secondary Education Act – a landmark piece of legislation that led to broad federal support for public education; and the Higher Education Act of 1965 – that, among other things, authorized low interest student loans and created the Teachers Corps.
This remarkable package of laws is one of Wayne Morse’s greatest legacies – not only to education, but also to the ideals of free thought, democratic debate, and the rule of law. He wanted young people to have the best education possible because he knew that educated citizens think critically – and act independently.
Wayne Morse literally made the right of free speech stronger by educating Americans – better.
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This plaza will help keep alive the message of Wayne Morse – that we must both protect and exercise our fundamental right of free speech.
But I believe we must also keep alive his message that there is nothing more important to our nation’s future than making sure that the door to educational opportunity stays open. That is why three months ago I called for a Marshall Plan for education, including post-secondary education – where every qualified young person in this country has the right and opportunity to continue his or her education at a community college or university.
For most of our nation’s history, post-secondary education was considered a privilege – to be enjoyed by the wealthy. But after World War II, we made higher education affordable and accessible for millions of returning veterans. This national commitment to higher education continued in the 1960s – thanks to the leadership of Wayne Morse and many others in both parties.
Unfortunately, we are slipping back into our old ways – viewing post-secondary education as a privilege of the well to-do. This is both economically shortsighted – and morally wrong.
So I challenge you to stand with me and demand that our leaders in Washington make a major new investment in community colleges and universities. That they provide Americans with a PreK-20 education system that gives us the opportunity to be the best educated, best trained and best skilled citizenry in the world.
This is the time to be bold. This is the time to take risks. And yes, this is the time to follow in the footsteps of Senator Wayne Morse.
He understood the difference education made in his life – just as I understand the difference it has made in mine. He also understood that education is a public good that pays dividends in the form of a stronger economy – and healthier democracy. That is why he fought tenaciously for education at all levels – and why we must do the same.
So while we honor the life and vision of Wayne Morse by opening this plaza and unveiling Gabriel’s sculpture, I hope this dedication is the beginning – not the end – of our celebration of a true Oregon and American hero.
That we take his passion for tolerance, justice and civil rights – and make it our own. That we take his courage to speak for unpopular causes and against conventional wisdom – and make it our own. That we take his abiding belief in an educational landscape that every citizen has a right to enter and lay claim to – and we make it our own. And that we take his legacy of public service – and we do more than make it our own.
We must build on the legacy of Wayne Morse – inspired by his deeds and memory, . . .
. . . and committed to handing tomorrow’s free thinkers an even better Oregon and America than he handed to us.
Thank you.
Larry speaks
Thank you Governor.
You will notice that the four trees that are directly to the right and left of the podium are marked with ribbon.
Art Pazz, one of the plaza designers, initited this tree project to help bring attention to Lane County’s multicultural population.
Each of the four trees were purchased by an ethnic group in Lane County and stand as sentinels on watch over the courtyard to ensure that the liberties of all are equally represented here in the plaza.
Although there have been many to thank today for this project, I’d like to thank a few folks who have had a hand in today’s celebration. I’d like to thank Melinda Kletzok, Public Information Officer for Lane County; Jayne Mickles, Wayne Morse Historic Park Board; my wife, Joann Perry, Reed and Cross, Kids-A-Like 4-H Club, the Eagle Scouts, South Eugene High School Jazz Combo, and Constance Van Flandern from the University of Oregon.
Finally, I’d like to thank our Mayor, Kitty Piercy, for her vision, determination and energizing spirit.
And now it gives me great pleasure to introduce Gabriel Ponzanelli, the statue artist, who joins us here today from his home in Mexico City.
Gabriel has become a friend through the process of completing this project.
He and I have visited and shared insights about Morse the man in his many
visits to Eugene and my visits to his studio in Mexico City.
As we reveal the statue of Wayne today, you’ll notice the artisti’s attention
to detail and catch the spirit of the man who was “. . .the tiger of the senate.”
Gabriel will give you brief highlights of the artistic process and then give us the countdown (in Spanish) to unveil the statue and formally dedicate the statue and plaza to the people of Lane County. When Gabriel begins his countdown, please repeat his count as a group.
And...please join us after the unveiling in viewing the plaques, pavers and
statue and enjoy refreshments on the courthouse landing. |
