WHO:
-U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13^th)
-Downers Grove North High School students

WHAT:
Biggert is launching the Veterans History Project with the help of 30 students from North High School in Downers Grove.  The television and journalism students have the unique opportunity to compile and preserve the stories of American war veterans to be included in the permanent collection in the Library of Congress.  Biggert will provide opening remarks about the program and a representative of the Library of Congress will train students on how to document the stories of local veterans.  

WHEN:
10:45 a.m. Central Time, Friday, January 21, 2011

WHERE:
NorthHigh School, 4436 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL

WHY:
In recognition of the sacrifices made by our local veterans, Rep. Biggert is launching the Veterans History Project with the help of 30 North high school students, who will compile and preserve the stories of American war veterans to be included in the permanent collection in the Library of Congress.  A representative from the Library of Congress will train the students on how to document the veterans’ stories through photographs, diaries, letters, and audio and video interviews.  Students will be paired up with local veterans and the program will be led under the direction of North High School Library Department Chair Rebecca Scott.  

“The Veterans History Project will help to foster a strong connection between the students and our community, allowing us all to think beyond our school’s walls,” Scott said.

“Interviewing our wartime veterans is a unique and inspiring opportunity for our young people.  The stories of our local veterans deserve to be told and remembered forever,” Biggert said.  “Through this initiative, the journals of our loved ones from Vietnam or other conflicts will become part of the history books, where we can keep their memories alive.”

Biggert was an original co-sponsor of the legislation that created the VHP in 2000, when it was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. 

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