Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD – When we started the planning of the Clinton Presidential Center and the Clinton School in 1997, a group of us, including University of Arkansas President Dr. Alan Sugg, visited Texas A&M University in College Station to learn about the George H.W. Bush School and the Bush Presidential Library.
Throughout the planning, building and opening of the Clinton Center and Clinton School, those associated with the Bush Library and Bush School were most helpful, cooperative, patient and gracious. They assisted us with answers to hundreds of questions. I can’t say enough good things about how open they were with information and how generous they were with their time.
While it is a very partisan route getting to the Presidency, it is a very nonpartisan world among the Presidential Libraries and the Presidential schools. We often work together. In fact, this week the Clinton School will be hosting a major conference on racial and religious reconciliation and most — if not all — the presidential schools will be participating.
When we opened the Clinton Center on a rainy day in November 2004, President George W. Bush joined former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton at that event. On that day, I told President George W. Bush that we would provide the same library/school planning cooperation that we had been given by former President Bush and his staff. I had a similar visit with Karl Rove, who had accompanied President Bush to the event. It was my first time to meet Karl.
Over the past several years, I have had conversations with Karl and others about the George W. Bush Library. We have tried to be as helpful to President Bush (43) as President Bush (41) was to us.
During a recent conversation with Karl, I asked him to speak at the Clinton School. He immediately agreed to do so and the March 8 date was set. I am grateful to Karl for accepting my invitation. As we all know, his speaking requests and time demands are numerous.
Under the leadership of Patrick Kennedy, the Clinton School visiting lecturer/public program series is as strong as any college or university in the country. We have had–and will continue to have–speakers from all disciplines, all walks of life and all perspectives. We are proud to share the vast majority of our guests with the general public–free of charge. We are indeed privileged to host Karl.
Because of the large number of advance registrations, we’ve moved Karl’s speech to the Governors Hall on the lower level of the Statehouse Convention Center, only a few blocks from the Clinton School. His remarks begin at 11 a.m. and you can still make reservations by calling Nikolai DiPippa at 501-683-5239. I hope you will join us.
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