GE Donates $1 Million to National Underground Railroad Freedom Center plus Thousands of Candles to Help Light Freedom's Flame CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 2002-- Everyone who attends June 17 groundbreaking will receive `candle' On the evening of Monday, June 17, thousands of lights will shine at the Ohio riverfront groundbreaking celebration for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Donated by GE -- and just announced along with a $1 million GE gift -- these battery-operated lights are symbolic of the candle-lit windows that signaled safe passage for fugitives on the Underground Railroad.
Dave Calhoun, GE Aircraft Engines President and CEO, announced GE's $1 million donation at the final rehearsal of the 500-voice community choir organized to sing at next Monday's groundbreaking. Many national dignitaries and celebrities, including Muhammad Ali, are expected to attend the ceremony.
Mr. Calhoun also announced GE's gift of several thousand penlight candles for all who attend the groundbreaking, and presented larger battery-operated candles to the choir. GE volunteers will be at the groundbreaking to hand out the candles.
GE employees have been strong supporters of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center since its inception, said Mr. Calhoun. It's a privilege to be part of history in the making. The Freedom Center will be one of the most important cultural institutions in our nation. It will showcase the courage, cooperation and perseverance of those who were part of the Underground Railroad - an epic American story.
Ed Rigaud, Freedom Center President and CEO, accepted GE's $1 million gift. I'm pleased to announce that, thanks to the generosity of General Electric, we've topped the $76 million mark in funds raised for the campaign, Mr. Rigaud said. This is a timely -- and much appreciated -- gift leading up to the June 17 groundbreaking.
Next Monday at dusk, Mr. Rigaud continued, our 500-member community choir will cross the Suspension Bridge from Kentucky to Ohio for the groundbreaking, GE candles lighting the way. The choir will walk, singing, toward thousands more people with lighted candles, symbolizing the journey so many took to freedom. It will be an awe-inspiring sight to behold.
MORE on the June 17 groundbreaking
The groundbreaking celebration is an enormous, community-wide effort in Greater Cincinnati. National dignitaries and celebrities announced to date include Muhammad Ali, who will light a symbolic flame of freedom; William Gray, President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, Ohio Governor Taft, U.S. Senator Mike DeWine, U.S. Congresspersons Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and Rob Portman, Cincinnati Mayor Charles Luken and many local officials. Nick Clooney will be Master of Ceremonies.
Prior to the groundbreaking, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. there will be a family-oriented festival with food and craft vendors, information on historic sites, storytellers, African dance lessons and other entertainment. Groundbreaking speakers and lighting Freedom's Flame will occur from 8:30 until 9 p.m., at which time everyone in attendance will be asked to turn on their penlight candles, and the choir will perform from 9 until 9:45. The evening will end with a fireworks display at 9:45.
For more information about the Freedom Center and the June 17
groundbreaking, visit the website at www.undergroundrailroad.org.
About the Freedom Center
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will open in mid-2004 on the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, one of the most traveled pathways of the Underground Railroad. The 158,000-square foot Freedom Center will celebrate this heritage and raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for freedom today among men and women around the world. The Freedom Center will also revisit the historic themes of the Underground Railroad as they relate to contemporary society. It will recount the inspiring story of freedom from slavery through exhibitions, programs and the Web as well as outreach at freedom stations in 60 cities in North America.
About GE
GE is a diversified services, technology and manufacturing company with a commitment to achieving customer success and worldwide leadership in each of its businesses. GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs 313,000 people worldwide. Jeffrey R. Immelt is Chairman and CEO.
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CONTACT: GE
Paula Kollstedt, 513/235-9490 (cell)
or
Freedom Center
Steve DeVillez, 513/412-6931