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Smithsonian Exhibit Opening a Success
By Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske | June 22, 2007
Thanks to my hard working staff, the Port of Long Beach, Verizon, BP America, the City Library Services, Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Marine Department for making yesterday’s opening of the Smithsonian and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s exhibit: “From Sea to Shining Sea: 200 Years of Charting America’s Coasts” such a wonderful success. The exhibit opened simultaneously with 200 venues across the United States on June 21st — which is the first day of summer and opening of boating season.
I would also like to thank all the people and press who attended who were fortunate to:
- Hear Police Sgt. Bill Foster sing “America the Beautiful”;
- Listen to the words of Bob Hoffman from NOAA about how significant the exhibit is;
- Learn from Port Commissioner Mario Cordero, how important charting and navigation aids are to the Port of Long Beach;
- Marvel at how much NOAA does for the US that we don’t know about — thanks to the speech of Dr. Jerry Schubel, President and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Attendees were also feated to a visit by Ben Franklin who talked about his colleague Thomas Jefferson and his great-grandson Alexander Dallas Bashe, who headed the Survey of the Coast in its earliest years.
Once the ribbon was cut, we went inside to the El Dorado Library Community Room — which will display the exhibit until August 31 — and saw the 20 colorful posters given to Long Beach by the Smithsonian Institution.
An extra feature of the exhibit, is a free cell phone audio tour that enables visitors to call a specific number and begin listening to the history of how America charted its coasts.
I encourage readers to stop by the El Dorado Library Community Room and see this exhibit and to take some time to listen to the recorded history that brings the exhibit to life.
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