[Nfb-history] History of Presidential Releases

[Morman, Ed]

The current release is number 398.  If they have come out eleven times a year, the first on would have been in 1975, and Kenneth Jernigan would have started the custom.

I will check to confirm this.  I'm almost certain it was a Jernigan innovation, but I'm not sure of the date of the first one.

Cordially,
Ed Morman
Edward T. Morman, MSLS, PhD
Director, Jacobus tenBroek Library
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND JERNIGAN INSTITUTE
200 East Wells Street
   at Jernigan Place
Baltimore MD 21230
410.659.9314 x2225
410.685.2340 (fax)
 
P.S. Did you know it is legal in the United States to pay people with disabilities less than the minimum wage? Let's change this--learn more at http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Fair_Wages_For_Workers_With_Disabilities.asp

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Donahue [mailto:pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com] 
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 12:41 PM
To: Morman, Ed
Cc: NFB History Support List; nfb-talk at nfbnet.org; NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: History of Presidential Releases

Hello everyone,

    Some recent discussions concerning the presidential release prompted me 
to wonder a few things. Perhaps some of you know the answer. Here are my 
questions:

1. When were presidential releases first produced and sent to local 
chapters?
2. Was it Dr. TenBroek, or Dr. Jernigan who first began distributing 
presidential releases to our affiliates?


    Knowing something about the history of presidential releases would be 
great to know and will help all members understand their importance and how 
they help us spread the word of the federation among the blind community and 
how they keep us connected wherever we are in this great land.

Peter Donahue


"Will you come and awake our lost land from its slumber
      And her fetters we'll break, links that long are encumbered.
      And the air will resound with hosannas to greet you
      On the shore will be found gallant Irishmen to greet you."
Will You Come to the Bower
Traditional Irish Folk Song