Remarks of Chairman Bruce Cole
Reception for the John Smith 400 Project
Waterfront at Mount Vernon
June 22, 2007
(As Prepared for Delivery)

Good evening. Thank you, Drew, for that kind introduction. I'm honored to be here with Senator John Warner and so many other distinguished guests.

At the National Endowment for the Humanities, one of our highest priorities is to lead a renaissance in knowledge about American history and principles among all our citizens.

As the NEH's founding legislation puts it, “Democracy demands wisdom.” A nation that does not know where it comes from, why it exists, or what it stands for, cannot be expected to long endure. So each generation of Americans must learn about our nation's founding principles and our rich heritage.

With this goal in mind, President Bush and the NEH launched our We the People program in 2002, in order to encourage and strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture. Since its inception, We the People has received over 50 million dollars in support from the President and Congress—and the Endowment has put that funding to good use.

A full understanding of our nation’s history must acknowledge our beginnings —which include the founding of the Jamestown settlement and Captain John Smith’s exploration of the Chesapeake Bay. That’s why NEH is proud to support the John Smith 400 Project with a substantial We the People grant. This grant has made possible the participation of historical advisors, and the development of the Project’s educational exhibits. This project is both a wonderful celebration of Captain Smith’s exploration of the Bay, and a terrific learning opportunity for our citizens.

NEH has a longstanding commitment to help preserve and tell the story of John Smith and the Jamestown settlement. For example, NEH funding supported the team of archeologists and historians that discovered and excavated the remains of the early seventeenth-century fort at Jamestown. We are also supporting the National Geographic Society’s development of a prime-time television special called “Jamestown, John Smith, and the Voyages of Discovery.” NEH funding also made possible the Library of America’s recent publication of a collected edition of writings by John Smith and other Jamestown colonists. So you can see that the NEH is very Jamestown-friendly—and for good reason.

Our nation began with the founding of the Jamestown settlement four hundred years ago. By ensuring that today’s Americans learn about Jamestown and the rest of our nation’s remarkable history, we will prepare and motivate them to add their own chapters to that ongoing story.

Thank you.