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American Morning
Constitution Center Opens in Philadelphia
Aired July 04, 2003 - 19:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, ANCHOR: Well, it has taken 216 years, but finally there is a museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. It opens today in Philadelphia.
Our Jason Carroll is standing by to tell us all about it.
Hi, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you. You know, I heard Michael Okwu earlier today in New York with that hot dog eating contest.
Here in Philadelphia (UNINTELLIGIBLE). This is the first museum of its kind dedicated directly to the Constitution. It's got opening ceremonies going on right now. Wynton Marsallis just trumpeted through the national anthem.
Sandra Day O'Connor, the Supreme Court justice, is going to be out here speaking, as well.
Joining me right now to talk a little bit more about the festivities surrounding today's opening of the museum is Liz Barzczewski. She is representing the center for us.
Liz, you have really pulled out all the stops for this opening day, haven't you?
LIZ BARZCZEWSKI, CONSTITUTION CENTER: We have. You cannot imagine how excited we all are that we're finally able to open and welcome all our visitors beginning today.
CARROLL: Tell me about the center itself. It really is a lot of fun being in there. I mean, we earlier today and yesterday got a chance to go through the center and had a lot of fun with it. Tell us more about it.
BARZCZEWSKI: Well, I think it's going to really be surprising for a lot of visitors, when they think of the Constitution, they think of this document that's 215 years old. But I think when they actually come through the Constitution center they're going to see we more than 100 interactive and multimedia exhibits. You know, everything from you can sit on the replica of the Supreme Court bench and help...
CARROLL: Be sworn in as president.
BARZCZEWSKI: Be sworn in as president. You can vote for your favorite president and see your vote register immediately. Your vote does count.
And we also have some terrific artifacts, like the tool kit that was used to break into the Watergate Hotel, and we have...
CARROLL: What was one of your favorites?
BARZCZEWSKI: I don't have any favorites. They're all great. I'll tell you, I do like the Watergate tool kit.
CARROLL: I like that one, as well.
Tell us more about what we can expect out here today, for this celebration.
BARZCZEWSKI: Well, this morning, going on behind us, is our dedication ceremony. Our governor, Ed Rendell, is going to be joining us. Of course, our mayor, John F. Street, and as you mentioned, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is going to be receiving the Liberty Medal. We also have Justices Scalia and Breyer, who are joining us today, as well as dramatic readings accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra with Richard Dreyfuss.
CARROLL: A lot going on. Something that I read about, which is the original idea for this type of center came, what, 100 years ago? It took 100 years to get here.
BARZCZEWSKI: It did. It was way back in 1887. But the actual legislation to create the center came in 1988, with the National Constitution Heritage Act. It took us a little while to get here, but that's when the actual legislation went through.
CARROLL: Opens later today?
BARZCZEWSKI: It does. It opens to the public at 2 p.m. today.
CARROLL: So between barbecuing and having fun and swimming, come out if you're in the area?
BARZCZEWSKI: Absolutely. Come see us. We can't wait.
CARROLL: All right, Liz Barzczewski, representing the center. Thanks you very much for joining us.
BARZCZEWSKI: Thank you.
CARROLL: A hot and muggy Fourth of July, but if you want to stay cool here in Philadelphia, here's one way to do it, inside the air conditioned center there.
Back to you.
COLLINS: Sounds like a pretty good idea. All right. Jason Carroll, thanks so much. Live from Philadelphia.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 4, 2003 - 19:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, ANCHOR: Well, it has taken 216 years, but finally there is a museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution. It opens today in Philadelphia.
Our Jason Carroll is standing by to tell us all about it.
Hi, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you. You know, I heard Michael Okwu earlier today in New York with that hot dog eating contest.
Here in Philadelphia (UNINTELLIGIBLE). This is the first museum of its kind dedicated directly to the Constitution. It's got opening ceremonies going on right now. Wynton Marsallis just trumpeted through the national anthem.
Sandra Day O'Connor, the Supreme Court justice, is going to be out here speaking, as well.
Joining me right now to talk a little bit more about the festivities surrounding today's opening of the museum is Liz Barzczewski. She is representing the center for us.
Liz, you have really pulled out all the stops for this opening day, haven't you?
LIZ BARZCZEWSKI, CONSTITUTION CENTER: We have. You cannot imagine how excited we all are that we're finally able to open and welcome all our visitors beginning today.
CARROLL: Tell me about the center itself. It really is a lot of fun being in there. I mean, we earlier today and yesterday got a chance to go through the center and had a lot of fun with it. Tell us more about it.
BARZCZEWSKI: Well, I think it's going to really be surprising for a lot of visitors, when they think of the Constitution, they think of this document that's 215 years old. But I think when they actually come through the Constitution center they're going to see we more than 100 interactive and multimedia exhibits. You know, everything from you can sit on the replica of the Supreme Court bench and help...
CARROLL: Be sworn in as president.
BARZCZEWSKI: Be sworn in as president. You can vote for your favorite president and see your vote register immediately. Your vote does count.
And we also have some terrific artifacts, like the tool kit that was used to break into the Watergate Hotel, and we have...
CARROLL: What was one of your favorites?
BARZCZEWSKI: I don't have any favorites. They're all great. I'll tell you, I do like the Watergate tool kit.
CARROLL: I like that one, as well.
Tell us more about what we can expect out here today, for this celebration.
BARZCZEWSKI: Well, this morning, going on behind us, is our dedication ceremony. Our governor, Ed Rendell, is going to be joining us. Of course, our mayor, John F. Street, and as you mentioned, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is going to be receiving the Liberty Medal. We also have Justices Scalia and Breyer, who are joining us today, as well as dramatic readings accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra with Richard Dreyfuss.
CARROLL: A lot going on. Something that I read about, which is the original idea for this type of center came, what, 100 years ago? It took 100 years to get here.
BARZCZEWSKI: It did. It was way back in 1887. But the actual legislation to create the center came in 1988, with the National Constitution Heritage Act. It took us a little while to get here, but that's when the actual legislation went through.
CARROLL: Opens later today?
BARZCZEWSKI: It does. It opens to the public at 2 p.m. today.
CARROLL: So between barbecuing and having fun and swimming, come out if you're in the area?
BARZCZEWSKI: Absolutely. Come see us. We can't wait.
CARROLL: All right, Liz Barzczewski, representing the center. Thanks you very much for joining us.
BARZCZEWSKI: Thank you.
CARROLL: A hot and muggy Fourth of July, but if you want to stay cool here in Philadelphia, here's one way to do it, inside the air conditioned center there.
Back to you.
COLLINS: Sounds like a pretty good idea. All right. Jason Carroll, thanks so much. Live from Philadelphia.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
