Category: Faculty

Yes, upon reflection, I would have organized a tribute to Senator Dale Bumpers for his legislative achievement in making Central High a National Historic Site. In addition to its historical and civil rights significance, the Little Rock Central High National Historic Site has been an economic and tourism boom to the city and state. Mayor Woodrow Mann, who was a voice of reason in 1957, also deserves more recognition.

Over the past several days I have been asked frequently what I thought about Columbia University inviting President Ahmadinejad of Iran to speak on campus, providing him with a “public platform.” I agree with Columbia’s decision to have him speak. The thing I found most troubling was reports that some Columbia officials treated him rudely.

Of all the events I attended throughout the 50th anniversary commemoration of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, none was more enjoyable than the Clinton School hosting Tavis Smiley and watching his radio show broadcasted from the Clinton Presidential Library this morning.

Today I spoke at an Employment Law and Legislative Affairs Conference about “Life as a Political Animal.” The speech title itself deserves some explanation. In 1983, after leaving the staff of Senator David Pryor and returning to the private sector, I formed an organization called the “Political Animals Club,” a nonpartisan group where people would meet to talk only about politics.

Much has been said about the current racial make up of Little Rock Central High School as we approach the 50th anniversary of the school’s 1957 desegregation and the constitutional crisis that surrounded it.

I’m frequently asked about which of our Clinton School speakers have attracted the most people. Here are the current top 25. Note that Harold Ford and John Yoo have not yet appeared.

On September 11, 2001 many of us watched thse events unfold on television with disbelief and shock. Almost 3,000 people died, and it is now estimated that about 10,000 more are sick or will be from other illnesses such as lung disease and cancer as a result of post-impact dust, debris and other injuries. For many students at the Clinton School, like Pearl Habor was to the World War II generation, 9/11 is a day that will always live in infamy.