Existing comment:
Founded at the Willard:
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR):
The first meeting of the founding scientists of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) was at the Willard Hotel on May 7, 1907. Devoted to the prevention and cure of cancer, the organization was formed during this meeting as the accompanying minutes describe. Today, the AACR consists of over 25,000 members in 70 countries.
National Press Club:
On March 12, 1908, 32 newspapermen solidified journalism's place at the Willard with the establishment of the National Press Club. Fathering in the hotel's bar for drinks, the journalists framed the National Press Club's constitution and elected the organization's first officers.
Reserve Officers Association:
At the request of General of the Armies John J. Pershing, in October 1922, a group of 140 World War I Reserve Component soldiers met at the Willard Hotel to found the Reserve Officers Association for the purpose of education the nation about the critical need for preparedness in national defense. Since 1922, the ROA has lived up to its Congressional charter in vigorously advocating for a strong and viable national defense strategy that preserves our freedoms, supports the cause of national defense and provides all members of the Reserve Component services a voice in the crucial debates of our times.
United States Court of Federal Claims:
Founded in 1855 as the United States Court of Claims, the court is one of the oldest federal courts in the nation. In the first few weeks of its existence, the court was without an official home. In need of a place to hold its first meetings and craft its rules of procedure, the first three judges, appointed by President Franklin Pierce, met at Willard's Hotels on May 11, 1855. The judges immediately set to work and on May 17, 1855, adopted the first Rules of Practice and published them in the First Journal of the United States Court of Claims. While the court's stay at Willard's Hotel was brief -- it moved to the Capitol in July -- it was most significant in the establishment of "the People's Court," for it was then and remains today the court where citizens go to sue the government. |