this afternoon, we will begin with a paper by peter wallenstein. peter is a professor of virginia polytechnic institute and state university, known to the rest of the world as virginia tech. he has written a number of books on the history of the south, starting with his first book, "from slaves south to new south: public policy in 19th-century georgia." and he has written a book on the history of interracial marriage, and has another book out on the famous case of loving versus virginia, which will be out in 2014, called "race, sex, and freedom to marry: loving versus virginia." it is an honor and a privilege to introduce peter to all of you and turn the podium over to him. [applause] >> thank you, paul. and thank you all for coming out today. why are you in here, anyway? i cannot speak for the other speakers, but it is rare for me at least to have the u.s. senate imposed on the structure i am standing before. it is a privilege and an honor, and i am happy to be here. congress came together in december 1865 for the first time since early march. the

this afternoon, we will begin with a paper by peter wallenstein. peter is a professor of virginia polytechnic institute and state university, known to the rest of the world as virginia tech. he has written a number of books on the history of the south, starting with his first book, "from slaves south to new south: public policy in 19th-century georgia." and he has written a book on the history of interracial marriage, and has another book out on the famous case of loving versus virginia, which will be out in 2014, called "race, sex, and freedom to marry: loving versus virginia." it is an honor and a privilege to introduce peter to all of you and turn the podium over to him. [applause] >> thank you, paul. and thank you all for coming out today. why are you in here, anyway? i cannot speak for the other speakers, but it is rare for me at least to have the u.s. senate imposed on the structure i am standing behind. it is a privilege and an honor, and i am happy to be here. congress came together in december 1865 for the first time since early march. the

this afternoon, we will begin with a paper by peter wallenstein. peter is a professor of virginia polytechnic institute and state university, known to the rest of the world as virginia tech. he has written a number of books on the history of the south, starting with his first book, "from slaves south to new south: public policy in 19th-century georgia." and he has writt