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> 07/03/2003 National Constitution Center the Day Before (Ed Goppelt)
07/03/2003 National Constitution Center the Day Before (Ed Goppelt)
This year the Liberty Medal ward has been made a part of the larger dedication ceremony for the
National Constitution Center.
The $140 million museum honoring America's constitution started off life as a small think tank in 1986.
In 1988 the Center received federal funding of $250,000 a year to conduct educational programs about the
Constitution. In 1997 then Mayor (now Governor of Pennsylvania) Ed Rendell
took control and proceded to make his vision of a major new tourist attraction centered around the Constitution
a reality. In 1998 he installed promising young aide, Joseph M. Torsella, at the helm of the Center.
When Senator Arlen Specter succeeded in securing $65 million in federal funding for the new museum, its success was assured. As of May, 2002 the Center had raised $185 million, including a $10 million a piece from Amway founder Richard DeVos and the Annenbergs.
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US Marshall at Sixth & Market Sts.
2003/07/03 Ordinarily I would never ask a man carrying a sub-machine gun if I could take his picture, but some tourists asked this US Marshall first. He seemed to accept his role as a tourist attraction with good grace: "go ahead there's nothing I can do to stop you."
I've seen national police equipped with assault weapons in Europe before, but never here. I don't know whether this Marshall was here because of the Liberty Medal or not: under the circumstances it seemed indiscrete to ask.
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Portable Toilets by the National Constitution Center
2003/07/03 Five regular "Potty Queens" and one disabled stood ready to meet the public's needs tomorrow. Six toilets hardly seems enough to accomodate the 2,000 people who are expected to show at tomorrow's ceremony. Hopefully, more will be in place tomorrow.
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Camera Platform for Tomorrow's Dedication Ceremony
2003/07/03 Can anyone identify the woman seated in the red car?
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A Passerby Walks in front of the Center's Main Stage
2003/07/03
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Far Shot of the Center's Future Lawn
2003/07/03 The Center's grounds were actively being worked on when I stopped by around 2:30 pm to pick up my press credentials.
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Workmen In front of the Declaration of Independence
2003/07/03
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Channel Six's Tent
2003/07/03 Channel Six is one of the sponsors of the Liberty Medal ceremony. It broadcasts the award each year.
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Workman Operates a Boom
2003/07/03 I have no idea what this thing does.
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View of the Stage
2003/07/03
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The Cafeteria's empty seats await tomorrow's inaugural visitors to the Center
2003/07/03 The Center will be open its doors to the public for the first time from 2 to 8:30 pm on July 4, 2003. Admission is $6.
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Jul 24, 2008 2:45 pm
