. >> announcer: next an interview with abraham lincoln interpreter george buss. [ applause ] >> fellow citizens, since your last annual assembly, another year of health and bountiful harvest has passed. while it's not pleased the all mighty to bless us with a return of peace, we can but press on guided by the best light he gives us, trust that in his own time and wise way all will yet be well. >> george buss, that's from c-span's video archives of you portraying abraham lincoln. what is the value of re-enactment? >> it reaches a population that might not pick up a book, but they want to come and have the experience and that's what they have reported over the years, that they're not readers. they're not picking up the written word, but they want the experience. >> how many years have you been portraying abraham lincoln? >> 33 this year. started extremely small, but i wish i could tell you there was a grand plan. it's certainly not mine. >> how did it get started? >> i was on the board of the illinois education association. we were going to have the national convention in new orleans. on

. >> george buss, we've known you at c-span since 1994 when you helped us put on the lincoln/douglas debates. we have all stayed in touch with you as you're lincoln interpretation has continued. thank you on this president's weekend for talking about abraham lincoln and how you bring him to life.

next, an interview with abraham lincoln interpreter george buss.plause] >> fellow citizens of the senate and house of representatives, since your last annual assembly, another year of health and bountiful harvest has passed.