david m. r r rubenstein center for the study of white house history.th this event could not be possiblp withoutponsored, the united states capital historica society, and james madison's mont peyer. we thank these two wonderful partners for being with us today and the contributions they've made to make this a successful event. we would also like rd to expend a special thanks to the kimart kir company who generously under wrote a significant portion of . today's symposium. if you're with us tonight for s dinner, you will receive a speciallyp commissioned group fr them.we'r the association is grateful for the partnership that we've had for 34 years in the production of our white house christmas ornament. this began in 1981 and is a vern significant part of what we do given that the proceeds from the sale of this ornament go to support our work with the white house. please be sure to take a moment to visit our shop which is right behind the courtyard you today as well as online at www.white househistory.org finally, to our audience here at the white house historical association in and washington an