Evening star., 1962-12-26
BY CLARENCE HUNTER
Star Staff Writer

~~N
The Nations commemoration
OF the Centennial of the Eman-
cipation Proclamation will be a
year-long effort highlighted by
several significant programs.
One of the programs will be
the opening Of an exhibit at
the National Archives at noon
on January 4. Attorney General
Robert F. Kennedy will speak.
This exhibit will include the
original Emancipation Procla-
ton of January /, 1868, as well
as the preliminary Proclama-
ton which Abraham Lincoln
announced on September %,
1862, and contemporary ac-
counts and letters concerning
the document.
The January 4 program will
be sponsored by the United
States Commission on Civil
Rights which is coordinating
the Nationwide commemorative
event. States, municipalities,
colleges and private organiza-
tions throughout the country
are planning special programs.
Not Celebrations
"The programs are commem-
orations, not celebrations" en-
phasized Franklin H. Whitaker,
special assistant to the Secre-
tary of Commerce on loan to
the Civil Rights Commission as
haison officer for the program.
1.-THE commemoration is a
very solemn thing, done to
show the people the contiguous
relationship between the Eman-
cipation Proclamation and the
Declaration of Independence"
Mr.. Whitaker explained.
I'VE are attempting to create
an atmosphere of understand
Ing and respect for the fact that
the strength of the United
States lies in the contributions
Of all of its citizens" he added.
THE commemoration is geared
to an educational level so that
all races will appreciate the
contributions all people have
made to the total heritage of
America"
Cabinet Officials to Speak
Cabinet and other top Gov
ernment officials will accept
speaking engagements at COM
memorative programs through
out the country, Mr.. Whitaker
said, to emphasize that the Ad-
ministration is giving its full
support to the project.
Early this year President
Kennedy asked DR.. John A.
Hannah, chairman of the COM
mission, to plan and carry out
an appropriate commemoration
which would bring home to the
Nation the full meaning of the
Emancipation Proclamation"
The commission is preparing
o centennial report on the stat
us of the Negro citizen during
the 100-year period since the
issuance of the Emancipation
Proclamation. This report is ex-
pected to be issued early in the
year. The United States Mint at
Philadelphia will restrike the
original Emancipation Medal
lion of 1871 as another COM
memorative feature.
States, municipalities, COL
leges and private organizations
throughout the country are
planning special programs.
Willard is d. C. Chairman
Henry K. Willard II, vice
preSident-t easurer of the
American Security and Trust
Company, is chairman Of the
steering committee for the Dis
trict Centennial organization.
Mr.. Willard said the District
Emancipation Centennial Com
mittee is preparing for observ-
Ance of the occasion through
out the Washington area dur
ing the year. The District OBJ
servance will be in the spirit
desired by President Kennedy,
he said.
The District committee con-
sists of more than 80 civic lead
ders. Steering committee mem
bers include Dean Patricia r.
Harris of Howard University
real estate broker Eugene Da-
wilson, Attorney George E. C.
Hayes. the Rev. E. Franklin
Jackson; Frank J. Luchs, execu-
tive vice president of Shannon
e. Luchs Company; Angler Bid
die Duke. Chief of Protocol,
State Department: DR.. James
Butcher of Howard University
and Miss E. Pauline Myers,
Phyllis Wheatley YWCA Off
cial.
The Fraternal Council of
Churches, through its legisla-