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"This milestone is 200 years in the making. Lincoln's Birthday in
2009 will be a national celebration, and it's extremely important to
have the right person coordinating our efforts on the state level,"
Blagojevich said. "I'm confident Kay Smith and the Bicentennial
Commission will work very hard to make Illinois proud as we pay
tribute our favorite son."
"We are very pleased to have someone of Kay Smith's talents
coordinating the planning efforts for the Lincoln Bicentennial in
Illinois," said Rick Beard, executive director of the presidential
library and museum. "Although we have a lot of work to do in the
next several months, I am confident that Kay is going to provide the
leadership and energy we need to assure that Illinois' celebration
of our greatest president will be second to none."
The Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial Commission serves to promote a
deeper knowledge, understanding and engagement in the life and times
of Abraham Lincoln through conferences, publications, preservation
of Lincoln sites, and local, statewide and national observances
commemorating Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Feb. 12, 2009.
In February 2006, Blagojevich signed an executive order
establishing the Illinois Bicentennial Commission. As 2009
approaches, the commission will work closely with the governor's
office, state and local government agencies, members of the Illinois
General Assembly, and organizations that are dedicated to
commemorating the life of Abraham Lincoln, in order to plan
festivities in honor of the bicentennial. The commission will submit
an annual report to Blagojevich and the General Assembly, as well as
include a list of recommended improvements to Abraham Lincoln
commemorative locations. The commission will also work with the
national Abraham
Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, created by Congress to
coordinate celebrations nationwide, including parades, exhibitions
and performances.
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In April 2006, Blagojevich announced the members of the Illinois
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Members of the commission
include statewide constitutional officers, elected officials, and
members representing academia, business, the arts, community
development, civil rights and historic preservation communities. [List
of members] Working with the commission, Smith will organize,
plan, and coordinate the Lincoln Bicentennial program. She will
serve as chief liaison with federal and state commissions as well as
coordinate with other Illinois communities in planning events for
the bicentennial.
"I look forward to working with the commission and many Illinois
communities as we prepare to coordinate events to celebrate Lincoln
and his importance to Illinois and the nation," Smith said. "I'm
excited to be involved in this wonderful project and to have
returned to my hometown in time to participate in the preparations."
Most recently, Smith served as the senior administrative
assistant to the managing partner and chief operating officer of
Venable LLP, a large D.C.-based law firm. During her 16-year tenure
there, she was involved in many areas of the firm and assisted the
managing partner and chief operating officer in overseeing the law
firm, with its offices located in Washington, D.C., California,
Maryland and New York. In addition, Smith was responsible for
organizing large-scale firm events and activities on regular basis.
[News release from the governor's office]
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