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Hoover family at array of events
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · October 16, 2014
The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, the Hoover Presidential Foundation and the Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and the West Branch Lions Club will host events leading up to the 50th anniversary of the state funeral for the 31st president.
The events include packaging food for food banks to reflect the West Branch native’s humanitarian efforts that fed up to 1 billion people during wartime, to an event that not only remembers Hoover’s public service but reflects some of the important elements of the somber yet highly ceremonial funeral.
“Herbert Hoover is often criticized for his leadership while president during the Great Depression,” read a statement from the Hoover Historic Site. “But others from around the world, from school children to astronomers, honor Hoover’s legacy of humanitarianism and statesmanship.”
• On Oct. 18, the Hoover Foundation will host its annual Uncommon Student Award program in the Figge Auditorium of the Library-Museum. Hoover’s great-grandchildren, Allan Hoover III and Leslie Hoover Lauble will attend the program that presents $30,000 to high school seniors across the state.
• On Oct. 20, Leslie Hoover Lauble will visit Herbert Hoover Middle School and Lou Henry Hoover Elementary in Waterloo to talk about Hoover history.
• On the 60th anniversary of Herbert Hoover Elementary School in Iowa City, the late president’s only living grandson, Andrew Hoover, and great-grandchildren Margaret and Alexander Hoover, will attend to join the celebration.
• On Oct. 23, Margaret Hoover, Clifton Truman Daniel and John Taft will speak at the Foundation’s Celebration Banquet. The three are all descendants of U.S. Presidents and will focus on carrying on the legacy of their presidential ancestors. There is a fee to attend.
• On Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Lions Club will host a Hoover Hunger Project food-packaging event at West Branch High School in the new gymnasium. President Mike Quinlan told the West Branch City Council last week that the group had raised $21,000 toward their $25,000 goal.
The Lions Club originally set their goal at $5,000 back in April, but increased it by 500 percent last month. Meeting their original goal would have fed 10,000, but what they actually brought in will feed some 84,000 people.
The Lions Club will take volunteers all the way up to the day of packaging, though Quinlan said they would appreciate knowing in advance how many plan to participate by having them contact him at 631-4017 or Greg Humrichouse at 471-0525 or greghumric@msn.com or the Hoover Foundation at 643-5327. You may also volunteer through the Web at http://vols.pt/cttkn6. High school students can get Silver Cord hours by volunteering.
“President Hoover helped feed millions of people in his lifetime,” said Jerry Fleagle, Director of the Hoover Presidential Foundation. “This is a great chance for his hometown to continue that tradition.”
Quinlan called the project “a great way for anyone of any age to honor the legacy of President Hoover.”
• On Oct. 25, at 1:30 p.m., a park ranger from Herbert Hoover National Historic Site will discuss archival photos and documents that illustrate the little-known legacy of Herbert Hoover. The free presentation will be held in the auditorium of the Library-Museum.
• At 3 p.m., the National Park Service and Hoover Presidential Foundation will host a commemoration ceremony at the graves of President and Mrs. Hoover, a short walk from the Presidential Library. Among the graveside remembrances will be a reading of the original eulogy delivered at Hoover’s burial by the Rev. D. Elton Trueblood.
“It will be an uplifting program, incorporating elements of the state funeral from 50 years ago, while integrating new honors,” Fleagle said.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Parking at the gravesite is very limited.
Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation and former U.S. ambassador will read the keynote speech at the gravesite. Quinn also served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State as well as a member of the National Security Council staff at the White House.
Special music selections will be performed by the Eastern Iowa Brass Band.
For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.
“We’re celebrating Hoover’s life and legacy this week,” Fleagle said. “For us, it’s more like a Celebration Week, as we’re putting together a long list of programs and events to honor President and Lou Henry Hoover’s life.”
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