Patrick Cox, President, Patrick Cox Consultants
Proposal Type: Panel
Seeking: Additional Presenters
Abstract: An Undiscovered Place in the U.S. Capitol – “The Board of Education” and the Official and Unofficial Story – April 12, 1945 Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn of Texas and Vice President Harry Truman were longtime friends and colleagues for years prior to the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Truman took office April 12, 1945, as the 33d President, but the events of the day and how he was notified of the FDR’s death were unusual and somewhat theatrical given the unforeseen events of that day. Americans of the postwar generations recall their personal reactions to tragic events such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the 9/11 attacks in 2001. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death left an imprint on the minds of all Americans who remembered the fateful spring day as World War II drew to a close. Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn of Texas and Vice President Harry Truman were longtime friends and colleagues for years prior to the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Truman had entered the downstairs, small, hide-a-way office for their customary meeting in Rayburn’s “Board of Education.” The focus of this presentation will reveal the existence and purpose of this secret enclave, its role in politics and decisions in governance, and events on April 12, 1945. As part of History and Memory, the program will cover the similarities and the variations of the story from both Truman, Rayburn and Lyndon Johnson’s and other recollections of the day’s events. Also, the program will include other accounts from historians who have written during this momentous period of American history.
Seeking: Goals –
Untold History: Provide an engaging and personal look and the impact of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death on these important national leaders: Sam Rayburn, Harry Truman, and Lyndon Johnson.
Importance of Place: Describe and explain the role of the “Board of Education” as a hidden chamber in one of the most famous structures in the world: The U.S. Capitol.
Oral History and Memory: The importance and limitations of oral history to historians seeking resources for describing and interpreting historic events.
This presentation could be included in a traditional or structured conversation program.
Seeking additional presenters on themes on the Presidency, Congress, U.S. Capitol, or on more general themes of History and Memory.
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to share contact information for other people the proposer should reach out to, please get in contact directly: Patrick Cox,patrickcox7[at]gmail.com
If you have general ideas or feedback to share please feel free to use the comments feature below.
All feedback, and offers of assistance, should be submitted by July 3, 2015.
Related Topics: Government Historians, Memory, Oral History, Place
Hi Patrick,
This is an interesting idea and I think would be a good panel for a conversation on history and memory. I am also wondering how much you know about this space in the U.S. capitol as a space of public history? Do they tell this story at the capitol? I have considered for a long time how we need to think about how the American public consumes the history of the U.S. Capitol whether it is on a tour with one of the AOC guides or with an intern from their congressional office. Do Americans perceive the capitol as a historic site or as a site of the continuing creation of history? Why or why not?
You might want to talk to the historians at either the U.S. Senate Office of the Historian or the House of Representatives.
-Mattea
Mattea – Thanks for your response and questions. This room is now one of the private meeting rooms but still retains its original configuration and character. But it is not on any of the Capitol tours and can only be accessed with special permission. As such, its presence provides a presence to a narrative on how legislation and history are made. These stories will also be placed in the historical context of the time in which they occurred. I have provided information and programs to both the Historical offices at the House and Senate who were very cooperative. The U.S. Capitol is both a historic site and contributor ot history. How many Americans perceive this today, with the negative views of Congress and government, is debatable.