our first speaker and our main speaker today is phillip magness from the washington, d.c. area. originally from houston, texas, he obtained his undergraduate gree in political science from the university of st. thomas, and his masters and doctoral degrees from george mason university. dr. magness specializes in the history of trade and taxation in the united states, and is the author of several scholarly works in 19th and early 20th century tariff policy. long civil war buff, his attention turned to the presidency of abraham lincoln after a discovery of the library of congress. it marked a four-year hunt for other documents culminating in his book, co-authored with sebastien page, lincoln and the movement for black resettlement. in addition to writing, dr. magness has programs at george mason university. he's also taught in public administration at american university. and international trade at gmu. also in his biography is something i find fascinating. he's an avid scuba diver, and plays underwater hockey. for the washington, d.c., and i love this name, beltway bottom feeders.

phillip w. magnes magness. originally from houston, texas he obtained his degree from the university of saint thomas. dr. magnus specializes in the history of taxation and trade in the united states. he is the author of several scholarly works on 19th and 20th century tariff policy. long a civil war buff his attention turned to the in addition to writing, he's an academic program director the the institute for humane studies at georgetown university, has taught at american university and international trade at gmu. also in his biography is something i find fascinating. he's an avid scuba diver and plays underwater hockey. for the washington, d.c. and i love this name belt way bottom feeders. there is probably no end of applicants for that team. after dr. magness makes his presentation rodney ross will come to read a poem from john willis menard. rod is an old and dear friend a great proponent of history. he is very active in a number of organizations including the illinois state society which joins the capital