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SS United States Conservancy
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE:
PHILANTHROPIST PLEDGES $300K TOWARD SHIP'S PURCHASE
LAST WEEK'S PHILADELPHIA FUNDRAISER A HUGE HIT
MARTHA'S VINEYARD CRONKITE TRIBUTE & SCREENING SET FOR AUGUST 12
FREE PHILADELPHIA FILM SCREENING ON AUGUST 26
FAREWELL TO OUR BELOVED MIGUEL CRUZ
2010 CONSERVANCY WALL CALENDAR COMING SOON
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 The SS United States as seen from the IKEA Cafe. Courtesy of Joe Rota.
Dear SS United States Conservancy Members and Supporters:
The last few weeks have been very busy for the SS United States Conservancy, and we have achieved some important momentum in our efforts to save our national flagship, the SS United States. From a leadership pledge from noted Philadelphia philanthropist Gerry Lenfest toward the ship's purchase to a series of major screenings of the documentary film, SS United States: Lady in Waiting to building Congressional awareness of the importance of protecting the "Big U," we are moving full speed ahead.
Because the SS United States remains listed for sale, her future prospects continue to be precarious. We must not let up in our efforts to spread the word about the historic vessel's importance and potential. As always, we are deeply grateful to all of our members and partners for their support and enthusiasm.
With our best wishes,
The SS United States Conservancy's Board of Directors
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PHILADELPHIA PHILANTHROPIST PLEDGES $300K FOR SHIP'S PURCHASE
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Gerry Lenfest Hopes to see Ship Saved
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The SS United States Conservancy
is thrilled to announce that Mr. H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest has pledged
$300,000 in a matching grant towards the purchase of the SS United
States.
The Philadelphia Inquirer covered this announcement here.
Other coverage includes:
KYW WHYY
"We are extremely grateful to Mr. Lenfest for this generous offer,"
said Conservancy President Susan Gibbs. "It shows real commitment to
an important cause and we hope it will stimulate others to get involved."
Gibbs clarified that the grant would not be used by the Conservancy
to purchase the ship. Rather, the role of the Conservancy will be to
stimulate the development of a public-private partnership that would accept this donation. Gerry Lenfest is Chairman of the Board, of Telvue Corporation as well
as Chairman of the Lenfest Group, LLC. As a leader in the
communications field, Mr. Lenfest was instrumental in shaping what has
become the cable television industry. In 1974, he started Lenfest
Communications with the purchase of two cable television companies. He and his wife founded the Lenfest Foundation in 2000.
For more information on the Lenfest pledge, click here.
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| PHILADELPHIA IKEA EVENT A SMASH HIT
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July 31 Celebration Featured Glorious View of the Ship
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| The SS United States Conservancy's
July 31st awareness event, hosted by IKEA of South Philadelphia, was a
tremendous success, attracting over 150 guests and covered in local and
regional media outlets.
"So many people came together to make this
happen and we're grateful to IKEA, our board members, members of the
Coalition to Save the SS United States, and volunteers who came to us
wanting to help," said Conservancy Board Member Steve Ujifusa, who,
along with Board Member Jeff Henry, was the main organizer for the
event. Major support was also provided by Mark Brooks.
Pennsylvania Judge Thomas Watkins was honored with the Conservancy's first-ever Blue
Riband Award for his energetic advocacy on behalf of the SS United States.
Event attendees included CAPT Art Sulzer, US Navy (Ret.), who has been nominated to the
position of U.S. Maritime Administrator. Two former Maritime Administrators currently serve on the
Conservancy's Advisory Council, Sean Connaughton and Albert Herberger.
The Conservancy provided an update on its Congressional outreach, including a letter of support from Congressman Joe Sestak. For more information about the IKEA event, click here. |
KATE CRONKITE TO ACCEPT NATIONAL FLAGSHIP CHAMPION AWARD IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD
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Tribute to Walter Cronkite Set for August 12 Film Screening
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The SS United States Conservancy will present the National Flagship Champion Award to Walter Cronkite in a special tribute scheduled for August 12 in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. Cronkite's Daughter, Kate Cronkite, will accept the award on her father's behalf. Cronkite's Grandson, Walter Cronkite IV is also scheduled to attend. The tribute will take place in conjunction with a special screening of the documentary film, SS United States: Lady in Waiting. Until his death last month, Walter Cronkite served as Honorary Chairman of the SS United States Conservancy's Advisory Council.
The event will take place at the historic Old Whaling Church in Edgartown at 7 PM on Wednesday, August 12. Tickets cost $15 ($10 for students and seniors) and can be purchased at the door.
The Conservancy extends it deep gratitude to John Murphy and Captain Randy Jardin for all of their help in organizing this important event.
For more information about the event, please visit our blog by clicking here.
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FREE PHILADELPHIA SCREENING OF LADY IN WAITING
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Independence Seaport Museum on August 26
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The SS United States Conservancy is delighted to partner with Philadelphia's Independence Seaport Museum in offering a FREE screening of the documentary film, SS United States: Lady in Waiting. The film will be shown in the Museum's gorgeous state-of-the-art theater in high-definition! For those of you who have only seen the film in standard definition on your television sets, you are in for a treat! The screening will take place on Wednesday, August 26 at 7:00 PM.
More details will be forthcoming, but for now, mark your calendars for what promises to be a wonderful evening!
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FAREWELL TO OUR BELOVED MIGUEL CRUZ
FIRST CLASS PANTRYMAN ABOARD SS UNITED STATES
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Miguel Cruz (far right) with the SS United States First Class Pantrymen in 1963. Courtesy Miguel Cruz and the SS United States Conservancy Archive Project.
Our Heartfelt Condolences to the Cruz family
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Miguel Cruz, former first class pantryman aboard the SS United States and wonderful friend of the SS United States Conservancy, passed away on July 25 at the age of 90.
Mr.
Cruz kindly contributed his oral history to the SS United States
Archives Project and shared many memories of his days as a pantryman
aboard the ship, including meeting Mickey Rooney, Bob Hope, Grace Kelly
and John Crawford. He expressed
a sentiment about the SS United States that many of us share: "I'm just
happy that God put that ship on the water!
Miguel was featured in the Conservancy's 2006 calendar, which was on display at his viewing. His family has suggested to friends and co-workers that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the SS United States Conservancy.
According to his daughters, the SS United States is the "most beautiful Lady that ever sailed the
seas," and was the "the pride and joy of our
daddy's life at sea."
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2010 CONSERVANCY WALL CALENDAR COMING SOON!
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Calendar to Feature Full Color Artists' Visions of our Nation's Flagship
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The SS United States Conservancy's 2010 wall calendar, entitled Artists' Vision of the SS United States, will be available for purchase soon -- just in time for the holidays! Featuring works by noted maritime artists and enthusiasts, among those who have generously donated the use of their work for the calendar are: Robert Beck, David M. Boone, Simon Fisher, James A. Flood, Robert Lloyd, Paul McGehee, Russell Parmerter, Gregory Prestegord, Matthew Richards, Robert C. Semler, Thom Sweeney, and Stephen J. Card who is creating a new painting specifically to debut in the calendar. We will post the purchase information on our blog and website as soon as the calendar is available.
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As Always, we thank you for your ongoing support as we work to save our nation's flagship!
SS United States Conservancy
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