david fariel has done an extraordinary job of as the archivist of the united states. and i want to thank you for the job you're doing in helping to preserve the important documents in our country. when i first heard of the magna carta being for sale, i was surprised it was for sale and i was surprised it was the only copy in private hands. i was afraid it would probably leave the country, and although it wasn't drafted or written here, it was an important document for hundreds of years because it was drafted before our country came into existence, i thought it was important to be kept in the united states. because, as david said, it was the inspiration for the declaration of independence, bill of rights and so many other document our country is founded on. i'm very pleased that people from all over the world will now have a chance to see it. it is encased and hopefully will last another 800 years or so. we will be celebrating in three years the 800th anniversary of the original magna carta in 1215 and that will be a lot of ceremonies in the united states and england,

david fariel has done an extraordinary job as the archivist of the united states and i want to thank him on behalf of our citizens on the job you are doing in helping to preserve the documents of our country. when i first heard of the magna carta being for sale, i was surprised it was for sale and i was surprised it was the only co copy in private hands. i was afraid it would probably leave the country, and since it wasn't drafted or written here, it was an important document for years and years because it was drafted before our country came into existence, i thought it was important it be kept in the united states because, as david said, it was inspiration for declaration of independence, bill of the rights, constitution, and so many important principles that our country is founded on. so, i was fortunate enough to get it and put it on permanent loan here. and i am very pleased that people from all over the world now have a chance to see it. it is encased in an encasement that hopefully will last another 800 years or so. we will be celebrating in three years the 800th anniversary of