BGuthrie Photos: CA -- Simi Valley -- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum -- Outside Areas

CA -- Simi Valley -- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum -- Outside Areas:

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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1. REAGAO_110726_005.JPG: There are these dedication signs all over the place. You'll run into the Jelly Belly one later... The Freedom Path provided by the generosity of Harold Simmons -- Harold Simmons From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Harold Clark Simmons (born 1931, Golden, Wood County, Texas) is an American businessman and billionaire whose banking expertise helped him develop the acquisition concept known as the leveraged buyout (LBO) to acquire various corporations. He is the owner of Contran Corporation and of Valhi, Inc., (a NYSE traded company about 90% controlled by Contran). As of 2006 he controlled 5 public companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange: NL Industries; Titanium Metals Corporation, the world's largest producer of titanium; Valhi, Inc., a multinational company with operations in the chemicals, component products, wastemanagement, and titanium metals industries; CompX International, manufacturer of ergonomic products, and Kronos Worldwide, leading producer and marketer of titanium dioxide. According to Forbes, his net worth was about $5.7 billion in 2011.
2. REAGAO_110726_018.JPG: Herbert & Elinor Nootbaar Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Courtyard -- From http://www.corporationwiki.com/California/Capistrano-Beach/herbert-v-nootbaar/48552270.aspx Herbert V Nootbaar is associated with H V Nootbaar & Co Inc and holds several roles such as Owner and President. Herbert V Nootbaar has 2 known relationships including E L Mangam and Elinor Nootbaar and is located in Capistrano Beach, CA.
3. REAGAO_110726_026.JPG: After the Ride President Ronald W. Reagan by Glenna Goodacre, 1998 A Gift of Edward L. Gaylord Presented in cooperation with The National Cowboy Hall of Fame. -- Edward Gaylord From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Edward Lewis Gaylord (May 28, 1919–April 27, 2003) was a billionaire businessman and media mogul who built the Gaylord Entertainment Company empire that included The Oklahoman newspaper/ Oklahoma Publishing Co., Gaylord Hotels, the Nashville Network TV Channel (later renamed "SpikeTV" after being sold off); the Grand Ole Opry, and the Country Music Television Channel (CMT) as well as now defunct and bankrupt airline, Western Pacific Airlines.
4. REAGAO_110726_065.JPG: Lawrence W. Lane, Jr. Ambassador to Australia and Nauru for the United States, 1985-1989
5. REAGAO_110726_067.JPG: Philip D. Winn Ambassador to Switzerland for the United States, August 19, 1988 - August 5, 1989
6. REAGAO_110726_069.JPG: Walter H. Annenberg Ambassador to the United Kingdom for the United States, April 29, 1969 - October 30, 1974 -- Walter Annenberg From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Walter Hubert Annenberg (March 13, 1908 – October 1, 2002) was an American publisher, philanthropist, and diplomat. Early life Walter Annenberg was born to a Jewish family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 13, 1908. He was the son of Sarah and Moses "Moe" Annenberg, who published The Daily Racing Form and purchased The Philadelphia Inquirer in 1936. The Annenberg family moved to Long Island, New York in 1920, and Walter attended high school at the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey, graduating in 1927. He went on to college at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, not graduating. While in college he was a member of Zeta Beta Tau, a traditionally Jewish fraternity. Annenberg was greatly affected by tax evasion charges and other scandals that involved his father in the 1930s. A significant part of his adult life was dedicated to rehabilitating the family's name, through philanthropy and public service. Business life In 1942, after his father's death, Annenberg took over the family businesses, making successes out of some that had been failing. He bought additional print media as well as radio and television stations, resulting in great success. One of his most prominent successes was the creation of TV Guide in 1952, which he started against the advice of his financial advisers. He also created Seventeen magazine. During the 1970s TV Guide was making between $600,000 – $1,000,000 profit per week. While Annenberg ran his publishing empire as a business, he was not afraid to use it for his own ends. One of his publications, The Philadelphia Inquirer, was influential in ridding Philadelphia of its largely corrupt city government in 1949. It attacked McCarthyism in the 1950s, and campaigned for the Marshall Plan following World War II. In 1966, Annenberg used the pages of The Inquirer to cast doubt on the candidacy of Democrat Milton Shapp, for governor of Pennsylvania. Shapp was highly critical of the proposed merger of the Pennsylvania Railroad with the New York Central Railroad and was pushing the U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission to prevent it from occurring. Walter Annenberg, who was the biggest individual stockholder of the Pennsylvania Railroad, wanted to see the merger go through and was frustrated with Shapp's opposition. During a press conference, an Inquirer reporter asked Shapp if he had ever been a patient in a mental hospital. Having never been in one, Shapp simply said "no". The next day, a five-column front page Inquirer headline read, "Shapp Denies Mental Institution Stay." Shapp and others have attributed his loss of the election to Annenberg's newspaper. Philanthropy and later life Even while an active businessman, Annenberg had an interest in public service. In 1953, he became one of the founding trustees of Eisenhower Fellowships. After Richard M. Nixon was elected President, he appointed Annenberg as ambassador to the Court of St. James's in the United Kingdom. In 1969, under pressure after the Shapp controversy, Annenberg sold The Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, which he bought in 1957, to Knight Newspapers for US$55 million. After being appointed as ambassador, he became quite popular in Britain, eventually being made an honorary knight of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). Annenberg led a lavish lifestyle. His "Sunnylands" winter estate in Rancho Mirage, California (near Palm Springs) hosted gatherings with such people as President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. It was Annenberg who introduced President Reagan to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and the Reagans often celebrated New Year's Eve with the Annenbergs. Leonore Annenberg was named by President Ronald Reagan as the State Department's Chief of Protocol as well. Sunnylands covers 400 acres (1.6 km2) guard-gated on a 650-acre (2.6 km2) parcel surrounded by a stucco wall at the northwest corner of Frank Sinatra Drive and Bob Hope Drive; the property includes a golf course. Annenberg established the Annenberg Schools for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California. He became a champion of public television, acquiring many awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Reagan, the Linus Pauling Medal for Humanitarianism, the 1988 Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service and was named an Officer of the French Legion of Honor. In 1989, he established the Annenberg Foundation, and 1993, created the Annenberg Challenge, a US$500 million, five-year reform effort and the largest single gift ever made to American public education. In 1993, he and his wife, Leonore, were awarded the National Medal of Arts. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1995. He sold TV Guide, Seventeen, and a few other publications to Australian publishing magnate Rupert Murdoch in 1988 for US$3 billion, announcing that he would devote the rest of his life to philanthropy. During his lifetime, it is estimated that Annenberg donated over US$2 billion. "Education...", he once said, "holds civilization together". Many school buildings, libraries, theaters, hospitals, and museums across the United States now bear his name. His collection of French impressionist art was valued at approximately US$1 billion in 1991 and was donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City upon his passing in 2002. In 1990, he donated $50 million to the United Negro College Fund which was the largest amount ever contributed to the organization. Personal life Annenberg's first marriage, to Veronica Dunkelman, ended in divorce in 1950 after eleven years together. While married, Dunkelman and Annenberg had two children: a daughter, Wallis, and son, Roger. Roger committed suicide in 1962; to commemorate his death, Harvard University, where Roger was a student at the time, now has a Roger Annenberg Hall named in his honor. Annenberg's 1951 marriage to his second wife, Leonore "Lee" Cohn, was, by all accounts, a lasting and fulfilling relationship. Lee was a niece of Harry Cohn, founder and successful mogul of Columbia Pictures. Death Annenberg died at his home in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania on October 1, 2002 from complications dealing with pneumonia; he was 94 years old. He was survived by his wife Leonore (February 20, 1918 – March 12, 2009), daughter Wallis, and two sisters, Enid A. Haupt and Evelyn Hall. Including those by his wife's daughters from her first two marriages (Diane Deshong and Elizabeth Kabler), he left behind seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
7. REAGAO_110726_076.JPG: Charles H. Price II Ambassador to Belgium and Ambassador to the Court of St. James's for the United States, July 3, 1981 - November 15, 1983, Novdember 11, 1983 - February 28, 1989 -- Charles H. Price II From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Charles H. Price II (born 1 April 1931) is a prominent American businessman and former Ambassador of the United States. Early life Price was born to a prominent family in Kansas City, Missouri, who owned a local candy manufacturing firm, the Price Candy Company. He attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, and then the Pembroke-Country Day School in Kansas City, where he graduated in 1948. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri in 1953. After college, between 1953 and 1955, he served in the United States Air Force. After discharge from the Air Force, Price returned to Kansas City to begin a prominent career in the local banking industry. He served as Chairman and President of American Bancorporation, Inc., Chairman and CEO of the American Bank and Trust Company, and Chairman and President of Linwood Securities Company. He also ran his family's candy company, serving as Chairman and CEO from 1969 - 1981. Public life In the spring of 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed Price to be United States Ambassador to Belgium. He was quickly and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. In 1983, President Reagan recalled Price from his post in Belgium and appointed him United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. The Senate again confirmed him unanimously, and he held the post until the end of the Reagan Administration in 1989. As Ambassador to the United Kingdom, he was instrumental in handling the aftermath of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 and was the first U.S. government official on the scene in Lockerbie, Scotland, on the night of the bombing. He gave the first indication that it was the worst terrorist attack against the U.S., when he told reporters that 70% of those on board were Americans. Upon returning from his ambassadorial post in April 1989, Price was appointed Chairman of the Board of Ameribanc, Inc., and then became President and CEO in 1990. Ameribanc merged with Mercantile Bancorporation in May 1992, and Price became Chairman of the Board of Mercantile Bank of Kansas City and Mercantile Bank of Kansas. He held this position until retiring in 1996. Price has also served as a Director of British Airways (1989-1996), Hanson plc (1989-1995), US Industries, Inc. (1995-2004), The New York Times Company (1989-2002), Texaco (1989-2001), and Sprint (1989-1995). In Kansas City, he has served on numerous philanthropic boards. He also has received numerous awards and honorary degrees for his public service. Today, Price is retired and resides in Indian Wells, California. He is married to Carol Swanson Price.
8. REAGAO_110726_078.JPG: Leon J. Weil Ambassador to Nepal for the United States, September 21, 1984 - November 11, 1987
9. REAGAO_110726_082.JPG: Keith Foote Nyborg Ambassador to Finland for the United States, September 18, 1981 - February 17, 1986
10. REAGAO_110726_084.JPG: John Langeloth Loeb, Jr. Ambassador to Denmark for the United States, September 9, 1981 - September 17, 1983 -- John Langeloth Loeb, Jr. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia John L. Loeb Jr. (born May 2, 1930) is a businessman, philanthropist, art collector, and former United States Ambassador to Denmark (1981–1983) and Delegate to the United Nations (1984). Since 1979, Loeb has been chairman of Loeb, Rhoades Trust Company, successor to John L. Loeb Jr. Associates, Inc., Investment Counselors. Loeb is the founder of and owner of the Russian Riverbend Vineyards Ltd., which produces Sonoma-Loeb wines. He has sponsored publications and exhibitions on early American genealogy and family histories, and on Danish art. In 2009, he founded the George Washington Institute for Religious Freedom, and serves as the chairman of the organization.
11. REAGAO_110726_090.JPG: Glen A. Holden Ambassador to Jamaica for the United States, November 21, 1989 - March 1, 1993
12. REAGAO_110726_092.JPG: Theodore E. Gildred Ambassador to Argentina for the United States, November 6, 1986 - May 31m 1989
13. REAGAO_110726_094.JPG: Robert D. Stuart, Jr. Ambassador to Norway for the United States, October 16, 1984 - July 17, 1989
14. REAGAO_110726_126.JPG: The Black Ace Squadron F-14A Fighter Jet Made Possible by Bradford M. Freeman
15. REAGAO_110726_151.JPG: Ronald W. Reagan 40th President of the United States 1981 to 1989 Donated by Kenneth F. Kalbfleish Sun Foundry, Burbank, California and Donald Winton, sculptor
16. REAGAO_110726_158.JPG: Dedicated to The Honorable Nicholas and Mrs. Nancy Ruwe Mr. Ruwe was the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland (1985-1989). Ambassador and Mrs. Ruwe were the hosts to Preisdent Reagan during the Reykjavik Summit with General Secretary Gorbachev October 11-12 1986 where Ronald Reagan's refusal to surrender the Strategic Defense Initiative ensured America's victory in the Cold War. -- From http://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/04/obituaries/l-nicholas-ruwe-ex-ambassador-56-assisted-presidents.html L. Nicholas Ruwe, Ex-Ambassador, 56; Assisted Presidents By ALFONSO A. NARVAEZ Published: May 04, 1990 L. Nicholas Ruwe, a former United States Ambassador to Iceland and a Republican Party stalwart, died of cancer on Wednesday at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He was 56 years old and lived in Washington. Mr. Ruwe served as Ambassador to Iceland from 1985 to October 1989 and helped settle disputes involving shipping and whaling. He was also responsible for the operation of the 1986 summit meeting between President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail S. Gorbachev, the Soviet leader. Upon his departure, the Government of Iceland awarded Mr. Ruwe its highest honor, the Order of the Falcon, with a star and a cross. Aide to Presidents Mr. Ruwe (pronounced ROO-wee) was a senior staff member and a consultant to President Reagan's election campaigns. From 1980 to 1984, he was chief of staff in New York for former President Richard M. Nixon. He was assistant chief of protocol at the State Department from 1969 to 1975 and was responsible for the state funerals of former Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
17. REAGAO_110726_175.JPG: Replica of the White House South Lawn Special Thanks to Merv Griffin
18. REAGAO_110726_182.JPG: I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph, and there is purpose and worth to each and every life.
19. REAGAO_110726_200.JPG: I overheard the guy telling his daughter that he had a conflict with someone at his old job who thought that the guy was guilty of putting Reagan on a pedestal. Then he corrected himself and said that he was accused of treating Reagan like he was Christ or something. To which he responded "But what's wrong with that? Reagan was like god." I shuddered quietly.
20. REAGAO_110726_201.JPG: Lots of credits! What surprised me was seeing names repeated multiple times. "Marion and Earle Jorgensen" are mentioned twice but "Wasserman Foundation" is listed four times. Lew Wasserman, BTW, is credited with creating and taking apart the studio system in Hollywood who later sold Decca and Universal Studios to the Japanese in 1990, pocketing a cool $350 million.
AAA "Gem": AAA considers this location to be a "must see" point of interest. To see pictures of other areas that AAA considers to be Gems, click here.
Wikipedia Description: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs is the presidential library and final resting place of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. Designed by Hugh Stubbins and Associates, the library is located in Simi Valley, California, about 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Downtown Los Angeles and 15 miles (24 km) west of Chatsworth. The library may be accessed by driving to the Olsen Road exit of State Route 23, which connects to the nearby Ronald Reagan Freeway, State Route 118.

The Reagan Library is the largest of the twelve federally funded presidential libraries. The street address, 40 Presidential Drive, is numbered in honor of Reagan's place as the 40th President.

Dedication:

Construction of the library began in 1988, and the center was dedicated on November 4, 1991. The dedication ceremonies were the first time in United States history that five United States Presidents gathered together in the same place: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. Six First Ladies also attended: Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush.

Facilities:

When the Reagan Library opened it was the largest of the presidential libraries (with roughly 153,000 square feet). It held that title until the dedication of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 18, 2004. With the opening of the 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m2) Air Force One Pavilion in October 2005, the Reagan Library reclaimed the title in terms of physical size; however, the Clinton Library remains the largest presidential library in terms of materials (documents, artifacts, photographs, etc.). Like all presidential libraries since that of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Reagan Library was built entirely with private donations, at a cost of US$60 million. Major donors included Walter Annenberg, Lew Wasserman, Lodwrick Cook, Joe Albritton, Rupert Murdoch, Richard Sills, and John P. McGovern. For fiscal year 2007, the Reagan Library had 305,331 visitors, making it the second-most visited presidential library, following the Lyndon B. Johnson Library; that was down from its fiscal year 2006 number of 440,301 visitors, when it was the most visited library.

As a Presidential library administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Reagan Library, under the authority of the Presidential Records Act, is the repository of presidential records for Reagan’s administration. Holdings include 50 million pages of presidential documents, over 1.6 million photographs, a half million feet of motion picture film and tens of thousands of audio and video tapes. The Library also houses personal papers collections including documents from Reagan’s eight years as Governor of California.

Exhibits and scenery:

The museum features continually changing temporary exhibits and a permanent exhibit covering President Reagan’s life. This exhibit begins during Reagan's childhood in Dixon, Illinois and follows his life through his film career and military service, marriage to Nancy Davis Reagan, and political career. The "Citizen Governor" gallery shows footage of Reagan's 1964 "A Time for Choosing" speech and contains displays on his eight years as governor. The gallery includes a 1965 Ford Mustang used by Reagan during his first gubernatorial campaign, as well as the desk he used as governor. His 1980 and 1984 presidential campaigns are also highlighted, as well as his inauguration suit and a table from the White House Situation Room is on display. News footage of the 1981 assassination attempt on his life is shown, and information about the proposed Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI — dubbed "Star Wars") is included.

A full scale replica of the Oval Office — a feature of most presidential libraries — is a prominent feature of this museum as well. Other parts of the exhibit focus on Reagan's ranch, the presidential retreat Camp David, life in the White House, and First Lady Nancy Reagan. The most recent temporary exhibit ran from November 10, 2007 to November 10, 2008; titled "Nancy Reagan: A First Lady's Style," it featured over 80 designer dresses belonging to Nancy Reagan.

The hilltop grounds provide expansive views of the area, a re-creation of a portion of the White House Lawn, and, like many presidential libraries, a piece of the Berlin Wall. An F-14 Tomcat (BuNo 162592) is also located on the grounds.

Artifacts controversy:

On November 8, 2007, Reagan Library National Archives officials reported that due to poor record-keeping, they are unable to say whether roughly 80,000 artifacts have been stolen or are lost inside the massive museum complex. A "near-universal" security breakdown was also blamed, leaving the artifacts vulnerable to theft. Many of the nation's presidential libraries claim to be understaffed and underfunded. The National Archives labeled the Reagan library as having the most serious problems with their inventory. In an audit, U.S. Archivist Allen Weinstein blamed the library's poor inventory software for the mishap. Frederick J. Ryan Jr., president of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation's board of directors, said the allegations of poor management practices at the library reflect badly on the National Archives. Nevertheless, the library accepts the criticism of the audits and have undertaken a massive inventory project that will take years to complete. Ryan said Nancy Reagan expressed "surprise and disappointment" when he spoke with her regarding the affair.

Air Force One Pavilion:

A 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m2) exhibit hangar serves as the setting for the permanent display of the Boeing 707 aircraft utilized as Air Force One during Reagan's administration. The aircraft, SAM 27000, was also used by six other presidents in its active service life from 1973–2001, including Richard Nixon during his second term, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. In 1990 it became a backup aircraft after the Boeing 747s were brought into service and was retired in 2001. The aircraft was flown to San Bernardino International Airport in September 2001 where it was presented to the Reagan Foundation. In what was known as Operation Homeward Bound, Boeing, the plane's original manufacturer, disassembled the plane and transported it to the library in pieces. After the construction of the foundation of the pavilion itself, the plane was reassembled and restored to museum quality, as well as raised onto pedestals twenty-five feet above ground. The pavilion was dedicated on October 24, 2005 by Nancy Reagan, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

SAM 27000 is part of a comprehensive display about presidential travel that also includes a Johnson-era Sikorsky VH-3 Sea King, call sign Marine One, and a presidential motorcade — Reagan's 1984 presidential parade limousine, a 1982 Los Angeles Police Department police car (as well as two 1980s police motorcycles), and a 1986 Secret Service vehicle used in one of President Reagan's motorcades in Los Angeles. The pavilion is also home to the original O'Farrell's pub from Ballyporeen in the Republic of Ireland that President and Mrs. Reagan visited in June 1984, now called the "Ronald Reagan Pub." Also featured are exhibits on the Cold War and Reagan's extensive travels aboard Air Force One.

On June 9, 2008 Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings joined Nancy Reagan to dedicate the Reagan Library Discovery Center, located in the Air Force One Pavilion. The center is an interactive youth exhibit in which fifth through eight grade students participate in role-playing exercises based on events of the Reagan administration.

Center for Public Affairs:

Reagan Library has hosted many events, including the funeral of Ronald Reagan in June 2004, and the first Republican presidential candidates' debate of the 2008 primaries. On May 23, 2007, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer held a brief private talk and a press conference. On July 17, 2007, Polish President Lech Kaczynski presented Poland's highest distinction, the Order of the White Eagle, to Mrs. Reagan.

Ronald Reagan's funeral:

Following his death, Reagan's casket was driven by hearse to the Reagan Library on June 7, 2004. There, a memorial service was held in the library lobby with Nancy Reagan, Reagan's children, close relatives, and friends. The Reverend Dr. Michael Wenning officiated the service.

From June 7 to 9, Reagan's casket lay in repose in the library lobby, where about 105,000 people paid their respects by walking past the casket. After flying the body to Washington, D.C., lying in state in the Capitol rotunda, and a national funeral service in the Washington National Cathedral, Reagan's casket was brought back to the library in California for a last memorial service and interment.

A tomb had been previously built for the eventual use of Reagan and his wife. Following a sunset service on the library grounds the previous evening, early on the morning of June 12, 2004 Reagan was laid to rest in the underground vault.

Republican primary debates:

On May 3, 2007, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Nancy Reagan hosted the first 2008 Republican primary debate in the Library's Air Force One Pavilion. The candidates present included Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Representative Duncan Hunter of California, Senator John McCain of Arizona, Representative Ron Paul of Texas, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Representative Tom Tancredo of Colorado, and Tommy Thompson, former Governor of Wisconsin and President George W. Bush’s first Secretary of Health and Human Services. Mrs. Reagan, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation were among those in attendance. Candidates discussed the War in Iraq, the War on Terror, taxes, healthcare, abortion, stem-cell research, gay rights, illegal immigration, and made at least 20 individual references directly or in passing, to Ronald Reagan and his presidency.

On January 30, 2008, after the Republican candidates were narrowed to four — Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, and John McCain — the Library was the scene of the final GOP debate, once again hosted by the Reagan Foundation and Mrs. Reagan.

The Library announced that it will once again host the first Republican primary debate of future 2012 Republican candidates on May 2, 2011. The debate will be co-hosted by NBC News and Politico.

Centennial & Library Renovation:

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and GE announced March 17, 2010 a partnership supporting the two-year-long celebration for President Reagan's 100th birthday on February 6, 2011. GE, where Reagan hosted General Electric Theater and served as a goodwill ambassador from 1954 to 1962, will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the historic Reagan Centennial Celebration. Before he was Governor of California, Ronald Reagan was a host, pitch man and even motivational speaker for General Electric.

GE's overall participation as Presenting Sponsor of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration includes:

$10 Million in the form of cash, advertising and promotion to support the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration, including funds to support the completely transformed, state-of-the-art Museum at the Reagan Library that will be unveiled on February 5, 2011. This will include a new General Electric Theater that will focus on Reagan's career in radio, television, and film.
An additional $5 million to the Reagan Presidential Foundation to launch and support the GE-Reagan Scholars Program, an effort that will begin in 2011 and that will provide 200 four-year college scholarships over the next decade to "students who embody the vision and values personified by President Reagan."
A donation from GE/NBC Universal to the Reagan Foundation of 208 restored episodes of General Electric Theater in which Ronald Reagan hosted or appeared from 1954-1962. The episodes, many of which were thought to be lost and some of which were damaged, were recently uncovered and restored to broadcast quality for purposes of the renovated Reagan Museum.
An ad campaign and interactive Internet presence on GE's web site to promote the Centennial and celebrate Reagan's political career and time with GE.
A series of public affairs lectures with Reagan-era luminaries that will focus on President Reagan's legacy.

The Reagan Centennial is also being led by the National Youth Leadership Committee. Notable members of the Committee include Chairpersons Nick Jonas, Jordin Sparks and Austin Dillon, as well as other famous, non-chairpersons including Actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Olympic Bronze Medalist Bryon Wilson, Olympian and X-Games medalist Hannah Teter, and Recording Artist Jordan Pruitt. Several other Olympians and athletes are also members of the Committee.
Bigger photos? To save server space, the full-sized versions of these images have either not been loaded to the server or have been removed from the server. (Only some pages are loaded with full-sized images and those usually get removed after three months.) I still have them though. If you want me to email them to you, please send an email to guthrie.bruce@gmail.com and I can email them to you, or, depending on the number of images, just repost the page again will the full-sized images.
2011 photos: Trips this year: Civil War Trust conferences (Savannah, GA, Chattanooga, TN), New Jersey over Memorial Day for my birthday (people never seem to visit New Jersey -- it's always just a pit stop on the way to New York. I thought I might as well spend a few days there. Despite some nice places, it still ended up a pit stop for me -- New York City was infinitely more interesting), my 6th consecutive San Diego Comic-Con trip (including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco). Ego strokes: Author photos that I took were used on two book jackets this year: Jason Emerson's book "The Dark Days of Abraham Lincoln's Widow As Revealed by Her Own Letters" and Dennis L. Noble's "The U.S. Coast Guard's War on Human Smuggling." I also had a photo of Jason Stelter published in the Washington Examiner and a picture of Miss DC, Ashley Boalch, published in the Washington Post. Equipment this year: I mostly used the Fuji S100fs camera as well as two Nikon models -- the D90 and the new D7000. Mostly a toy, I also purchased a Fuji Real 3-D W3 camera, to try out 3-D photographs. I found it interesting although I don't see any real use for 3-D stills now. Given that many of the photos from the 1860s were in 3-D (including some of the more famous Civil War shots), it's odd to see it coming back. Number of photos taken this year: just over 390,000.
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Photo Contact: [Email Bruce Guthrie].