He is composer of The Longleaf Pine. A North Carolina native, lifelong resident and former state government executive, he has been honored by North Carolina governors with both The Order of the Long Leaf Pine and The Old North State awards. Here's to the land of the long leaf pine, On May 21, 1957, the North Carolina General Assembly adopted the song referred to as A Toast as the official toast to the State of North Carolina.*. It covers the period June, 1963 (when, according to the records, the first certificate appears to have been issued) to the present. A member of the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies, The Society is responsible for compiling and preserving the history of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award program. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society has designed and offers to recipients of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award for their exclusive use and display, a lapel pin and custom charm bearing The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society insignia. By the 1930s, most of the native longleaf had been logged, and the land was heavily eroded. " (The longleaf) represents a lot of what's so significant about our state." AMB's Long Leaf IPA For years, it was a staple of the large turpentine industry that was used, among other things,. The summer land where the sun doth shine, All submissions must include a biography of the nominee. The pin depicts the state seal encircled with pine boughs and pinecones symbolizing the official state tree, the Longleaf Pine. It is delivered in a handsome dark green velvet presentation box. Order of the Long Leaf Pine: A history of the award program, Roster of award recipients, and link to the Governor's website where nominations may be submitted for The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award. Longleaf pine forests are rich in biodiversity. Hunt, Jr. (1977-1985), Governor James G. Martin (1985-1993), Governor James B. View history. Here's to the Land of the Longleaf Pine On May 21, 1957, the General Assembly adopted an official state toast. Longleaf pine takes 100 to 150 years to become full size and may live to be 500 years old. The near land, the dear land, whatever fate, It is given to individuals who serve and highly contribute to their. They are joined by such other notables as Harry Belafonte, Rod Carew, Shirley Chisolm, Joan Crawford, Phil Donahue, Gerald R Ford, John Glenn, Tipper Gore, Mia Hamm, Engelbert Humperdink, Jesse Jackson, George Jessel, George Jones, Jean Claude Killey, Coretta Scott King, Bess Myerson, Hal Needham, Leslie Neilson, Itzak Perlman, Gary Player, Sidney Poitier, Colin Powell, William H. Rehnquist, Kenny Rogers, Curtis Strange, The Blue Angels, Lanny Wadkins, Ted Williams, Tennessee Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Tammy Wynette and Andrew Young. Permission to Use Recording and Sheet Music. Southeastern Naturalist 8: 213-226. The Order has been presented to numerous outstanding people over the years, including fellow UNC alumnus Michael Jordan, Coretta Scott King, Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey. The Order. [ 1] As of 2009, it was believed the Order had been awarded to over 15,000 individuals. The State Toast is used at some functions within the University of North Carolina. Broyhill Civic Center for their 25 years of service to the musicians showcase which has featured more than 250 different musicians in its quarter century. Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great, [12] Periodic natural wildfire and anthropogenic fires select for this species by removing competition and exposing bare soil for successful germination of seeds. An examination of records from the Sanford administration revealed the earliest references to The Order in June 18, 1963 letters from Governor Sanford to four Spanish dignitaries with whom Governor Sanfords representative, businessman R. Walker Martin, met during a good will mission to their country. Consequently, especially for the early years of the program, it is difficult to assert with any degree of certainty that the list of recipients is complete and accurate only that considerable effort was made and care taken to identify them using the best information available. Broyhill Civic Center who first had the idea for the showcase in 1998. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, created in 1964, is an honor that can be granted in the U.S. state of North Carolina. At the peak of the timber cutting in the 1890s and first decade of the new century, the longleaf pine forests of the Sandhills were providing millions of board feet of timber each year. Fire suppression was practiced until the 1960s, when prescribed fire was introduced on both the state forest[22] and the Sandhills NWR[23][24] as part of the restoration of the longleaf/wiregrass ecosystem. And the Society of the Prodigal Son was initiated during the summer of 1963 to honor prominent North Carolinians who, according to the certificates given them, had left the state for professional and commercial and cultural pursuits. Means, D. Bruce. As the latest member of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, Crouch now has the privilege of proposing the North Carolina Toast: 75th governor of North Carolina since 2017. Heres to down home, "Joe King et.al. Walter W. Moore in May 1904 in Richmond at a banquet hosted by the North Carolina Society of Richmond. Once the longleaf bottlebrush reaches about 6 to 10 feet in height, lateral branches begin to emerge and signal the beginning of the sapling stage. From that point, generations of North Carolina school children learned the song before the General Assembly officially recognized the combined creations of Martin and Kerr as the state toast in 1957. [6][7] The leaves are dark green and needle-like, and occur in bundles of mainly three, sometimes two or four, especially in seedlings. One of its main goals is the restoration of longleaf pine forest, to which end he has had 8 million longleaf pine seedlings planted on the land. It has been a tradition in our state to present these to our friends; however, we can find no information concerning the background. However, a researcher at the Department of Cultural Resources was probably correct when he observed that Since the law establishing the long-leaf pine as the state tree was passed in [March] 1963it was believed that the significance of the order was in large part based on that fact.. It reaches a height of 30-35 m (98-115 ft) and a diameter of 0.7 m (28 in). To learn more, view our full privacy policy. "A Toast " [1] was adopted by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1957: [2] Here's to the land of the long leaf pine, The summer land where the sun doth shine, Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great, Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State! Written in 1904, the thing was first spoken publicly that year at a meeting in Richmond, Virginia, of the North . They grow on well-drained, usually sandy soil, characteristically in pure stands. The honor is most often presented when a person retires. Where soars Mount Mitchells summit great, Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State! They often are twisted and .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}2045 centimetres (7+3417+34 inches) in length. & the Sultan of Kuwait and a lot more ", "Scotty McCreery's latest honor is a matter of state pride", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Order_of_the_Long_Leaf_Pine&oldid=1107975044, This page was last edited on 1 September 2022, at 21:07. Recipients omitted from the list may, by mail or e-mail, furnish The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society a copy of their certificate clearly showing their name and award date, and their information will be added to the Roster. Roy Cooper and presented by Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons, Crouch received the honor at the 25th annual Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase which he, along with his wife Kay S. Crouch, has produced and performed in since 1998. The Longleaf Alliance is an organization "established in 1995 with the express purpose of coordinating a partnership between private landowners, forest industries, state and federal agencies, conservation groups, researchers, and other enthusiasts interested in managing and restoring longleaf pine forests for their ecological and economic Longleaf pine vegetation of the southern Atlantic and eastern Gulf coast regions: a preliminary classification. The Order of the Long Leaf Pinehas not, however, been the exclusive domain of the famous and influential. Any person or organization wishing to perform the ceremonial anthem, The Longleaf Pine, at a civic or patriotic ceremony, a funeral or memorial service honoring a North Carolinian who has made a significant contribution to the State, or any similar public event may download the choral and solo recording and/or sheet music for piano and voice, provided you: Download Recordings and Sheet Music The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem: Ecology, Restoration, and Management. Rawls presented Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine This is the highest award for state service granted by the Office of the Governor. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, created in 1965, is an honor that can be granted in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Letters of Recommendation: recommenders can include any person who can speak to the nominees service, work ethic, character, leadership skills, community involvement, volunteerism, etc. It appears that the award probably originated in the spring of 1963 during the administration of Governor Terry Sanford (1961-1965). Longleaf pine is highly pyrophytic (resistant to wildfire) and dependent on fire. In the "Land of the Sky," in the Old North State! It all comes together and leaves you with a subdued lingering bitterness, so raise a toast to North Carolina, the land of the Long Leaf Pine! They may then enroll in the Societys Directory entitling them to display Society insignia. 0. The Order is similar to honors bestowed in other states, such as the Kentucky Colonel and South Carolina's Order of the Palmetto. pp. However, the North Carolina Award remains the highest honor the State of North Carolina can bestow. In August 2009, the Alabama Forestry Commission received $1.757 million in stimulus money to restore longleaf pines in state forests.[19]. Order of the Long Leaf Pine: A history of the award program, Roster of award recipients, and link to the Governors website where nominations may be submitted for The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award. Anyone can be a recommender including but not limited to: congressional leaders, former teachers, coworkers, community leaders, religious leaders, mentors, students, family friends, etc. The pre-1983 records contain examples of the award being presented to businesses (fast food restaurants, grocery stores, pet stores, shopping malls, etc. However, the state tree of North Carolina is officially designated as simply "pine", not any particular species of pine. One can only imagine that with the elimination of the Ambassador of Good Will and short-lived Prodigal Son designations and the diminution of the Honorary Tar Heel status, and the popularity in other states of awards programs like the Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels, and the recent adoption of the (longleaf) pine as the state tree, Director Parker with the blessing of Governor Sanford conceived The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award primarily to promote the state to its visitors and friends. [5][30] Also, the state's highest honor is named the "Order of the Long Leaf Pine". The Governors Office reserves the right to request further or additional information about the nominee or event at any time throughout the approval process. The Office of the Governor can grant awards to individuals or groups in North Carolina to recognize exemplary service. The certificate for The Old North State Award reads as follows: For dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence to the Great State of North Carolina, on behalf of the citizens of this state, I bestow upon: 'Working together, we can make North Carolina the place of unlimited opportunity---- a place where anyone who studies hard, works hard and lives a life with high values can fulfill and even exceed their potential.'. The summer land where the sun doth shine, The United States Forest Service is conducting prescribed burning programs in the 258,864-acre Francis Marion National Forest, located outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Since its creation in 1963, it has been presented to honor persons who have a proven record of service to the State of North Carolina or some other special achievement, and to others as a gesture of friendship and good will. For a PDF of sheet music for choir with piano accompaniment. Nominations can be made for retiring individuals who have 30 or more years of service in the State of North Carolina. Persons named to The Order become North Carolina Ambassadors with their names and award dates recorded on a Roster maintained by The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society. As of 2009, it was believed the Order had been awarded to more than 15,000 people . The fact that no mention was made of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine during these ceremonies nor any reference found in records preceding them, at least suggests that this awards program was first implemented sometime immediately prior to June 18, 1963, although no more specific information could be found. Consequently, despite the best efforts to compile the most complete and accurate listing of recipients possible, the award certificate itself remains the best, and sometimes only, reliable evidence of membership inThe Order of the Long Leaf Pine and should, therefore, be treated by the recipients with the care it properly deserves. It is also appropriate to detail community involvement and volunteerism, and to provide stories about the nominee, descriptions of his/her life or other information that allows the Governors Office to gain an understanding of his/her character. As of 2021, it was believed the Order had been awarded to more than 21,000 people.[1]. In 1904, Raleigh resident Leonora Martin, at the request of Dr. J. Allison Hodges, wrote the following toast for a banquet at the organization meeting of the North Carolina Society: Heres to the land of the long leaf pine, Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State![15]. Longleaf pine is available, however, at many nurseries within its range; the southernmost known point of sale is in Lake Worth Beach, Florida. Not only could little be gleaned from state records concerning the origin of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, so too was there a lack of organized records regarding its early recipients. on Flickr (use permitted with attribution). Longleaf pine seeds are large and nutritious, forming a significant food source for birds (notably the brown-headed nuthatch) and other wildlife. The seeds are 79 millimetres (1438in) long, with a 2540mm (11+58in) wing. Martin, a writer who had lived in North Carolina, was living in Richmond with her husband, Harry Culver-Martin at the time. Following the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in North Carolina's order of precedence is the Old North State Award. In its early history, it also began to be conferred upon state employees (esp. Springer, New York. Since the 1960s, longleaf restoration has been ongoing on almost 95,000 acres of state and federal land in the sandhills region of South Carolina, between the piedmont and coastal plain. ", See All Language | Poetry Symbols | State Nicknames, Source | Reference Links | Additional Resources, State Toast of North Carolina: NCpedia.org. Displaying 1-50 of 22523 results. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is among the most prestigious awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina. Longleaf pine takes 100 to 150 years to become full size and may live to be 500 years old. This lack of information is further documented in a January, 1975 letter from Governor James Holshouser, Jr. who, in responding to an inquiry regarding the origin of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, wrote I regret that we do not have any information concerning the history, purposes, rights and duties of the members of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 22:38, Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T39068A2886222.en, "Official Emblems and Symbols, Tree, Southern Longleaf Pine", A Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names: Their Meanings and Origins, "Longleaf Pine Forests and Longleaf Alliance Home", "Stimulus to fund repopulation of longleaf pines in Alabama", "Fiscal Year 2006 Monitoring and Evaluation Annual Report", "Refuge to Begin Conducting Prescribed Burns in February", "Gambler-Turned-Conservationist Devotes Fortune To Florida Nature Preserve", "Restoring roots of Southeast: Environmental benefits, quality of wood touted", "The 'brown gold' that falls from pine trees in North Carolina", "North Carolina General Statutes - 149-2|"A Toast" to North Carolina", "North Carolina General Statutes - 145-3|State tree", "Pinus palustris in Flora of North America @ efloras.org", "The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem of the South", "North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service - Reforestation of North Carolina's Pines", https://www.floridamemory.com/learn/classroom/learning-units/zora-neale-hurston/documents/essay/, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Longleaf_pine&oldid=1142172721. of the long leaf pine, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is among the most prestigious awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina.The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. Other honors Crouch has received include the L.A. Dysart Man of the Year Award for Caldwell County, the Loving Lenoir Pinnacle Award, Caldwell County Schools Hall of Honor, the Hickory Music Factory Lifetime Achievement Award, and he was recognized as a Tourism Ambassador by the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce. Where friends are true and cold hearts rare, Secure websites use HTTPS certificates. A review of this supplemental information suggests, as previously surmised, thatThe Order of the Long Leaf Pine may have been originally designed and intended to promote and generate interest in North Carolina with persons visiting the state, often in connection with meetings, conferences, conventions, public appearances or similar functions. In fact, it appears from the records that the first listing of persons (and entities) named toThe Order of the Long Leaf Pine did not occur until 1983 twenty years after the program was established. His personal warmth, combined with extraordinary talent, attracts people from across the country." Price including shipping is $125.00 for this elegant pin:, Deluxe stainless steel back clutch post, Rich dark green color with gold accents, Delivered in green velvet presentation box, Click to purchase Order of the Long Leaf Pine Pin. [Note: In 1971, the State of South Carolina established the Order of the Palmetto (its state tree) no doubt patterned after North CarolinasThe Order of the Long Leaf Pine awards program.]. The highest honor the governor can bestow on a North Carolina citizen, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine is given in recognition of a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. The recipient receives a certificate stating in part Reposing special confidence in the integrity, learning and zeal of (honoree), I (the Governor of North Carolina) do by these presents confer The Order of the Long Leaf Pine with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary, privileged to enjoy fully all rights granted to members of this exalted order, among which is the special privilege to propose the following North Carolina toast in select company anywhere in the free world Honorees and their families may now purchase this distinguished award pin. When boards are cut from the fat lighter wood, they are very heavy and will not rot, but buildings constructed of them are quite flammable and make extremely hot fires. "Reposing special confidence in the integrity, learning and zeal of Sister Lucy Hennessy, I do by these presents confer The Order of the Long Leaf Pine with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary privileged to enjoy fully all rights granted to members of this exalted order among which is the special privilege to propose the following North Carolina Between 1935 and 1939, the federal government purchased large portions of this area from local landowners as a relief measure under the Resettlement Administration. Where the scuppernong perfumes the breeze at night, The Society was founded and is directed by Phillip T. Fisher. Recommendations should NOT be completed by immediate family members. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is one of the most prestigious awards North Carolina can bestow to a citizen of the state. He has played in the acoustic trio, Strictly Clean and Decent, since 1989, performing in Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, and in 11 American states. Here's to the land where the galax grows, Heres to the land of the cotton bloom white, Asheville Citizen-Times, Jon Ostendorf, Jan 5, 2007. Reposing special confidence in the integrity, learning and zeal of [honoree], I [the Governor of North Carolina] do by these presents confer The Order of the Long Leaf Pine with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary, privileged to enjoy fully all rights granted to members of this exalted order, among which is the special privilege to propose the following North Carolina toast in select company anywhere in the free world: This is the first verse of the official toast of North Carolina, from a poem by Leonora Monteiro Martin. This page is not available in other languages. Boards cut years ago from virgin timber were very wide, up to 1m (3.3ft), and a thriving salvage business obtains these boards from demolition projects to be reused as flooring in upscale homes. Heres to Down Home, the Old North State! Late requests may not be processed in time for the preferred presentation date. CLICK HERE, https://longleafpinesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Full-Melody.mp4. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to North Carolina. Each type of award requires various documents of support. In the Land of the Sky, in the Old North State! Where the rhododendrons rosette glows, Roy Cooper and dated July 4. A Toast,by Leonora Martin and Mary Burke Kerr, was designated the official state toast of North Carolina in 1957: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'statesymbolsusa_org-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-statesymbolsusa_org-medrectangle-3-0');"Here's to the land of the longleaf pine,The summer land where the sun doth shine,Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State! For more about North Carolinas history, arts, nature and culture, visitDNCR online. The female (seed) cones mature in about 20 months from pollination; when mature, they are yellow-brown in color, 1525cm (69+34in) long, and 57cm (22+34in) broad, opening to 12cm (4+34in), and have a small, but sharp, downward-pointing spine on the middle of each scale. These landowners were resettled on more fertile land elsewhere. Copyright 2013 In Your Honor LLC. The timber cutters gradually moved across the South; by the 1920s, most of the "limitless" virgin longleaf pine forests were gone. After that, it has a growth spurt, especially if it is in a gap or no tree canopy is above it. Upon being named to The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the honoree receives a certificate by which the Governor confers upon the recipient the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary privileged to enjoy fully all rights granted to members of this exalted order among which is the special privilege to propose the following North Carolina Toast in select company anywhere in the free world: Heres to the land The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, created in 1964, is an honor that can be granted in the U.S. state of North Carolina. For a PDF of sheet music for solo vocalist with piano accompaniment. This form is called the grass stage. In 2001, North Carolina native Phillip Fisher composed new music for A Toast, adapting the lyrics and titling his anthem The Longleaf Pine. In truth, the toast, adopted in 1957, is a song, by Leonora Martin and Mary Burke Kerr. Crouch previously taught band for 30 years at Granite Falls Middle School where he was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2000. Thinking big: A conservation vision for the Southeastern coastal plain of North America. Awards are strictly honorary and not legally binding. Although sometimes called the state's highest civilian honor in an order of precedence, that distinction legally belongs to the North Carolina Award. The records from the Sanford administration also refer to two other awards and designations under the aegis of the governor during this time the Honorary Tar Heel award which, according to Governor Sanford, was an organization formed in 1946 whose membership consisted mainly of practitioners male in the communications media; and the Ambassador of Good Will designation which probably originated during the administration of Governor Clyde R. Hoey (1937-1941), if not earlier. 18. In S. M. Hermann (ed.) A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. State Government websites value user privacy. Last edited on 1 September 2022, at 21:07. and the strong grow great, [13] The lack of medium-tall trees (called a midstory canopy) leads to open longleaf pine forests or savannas. You'll see him everywhere. All supporting documents should be submitted by email to govrequests@nc.gov using the following email subject line: Supporting Documents for Nomination for: (example: Supporting Documents for Order of the Long Leaf Pine Nomination for: Jane Doe). Peet, R. K. and D. J Allard. 74 IBU View: More Beers | Place Reviews Recent Keddy, P.A., L. Smith, D.R. The near land, the dear land, whatever fate, The toast was first read by the Rev. Price including shipping is $125.00 for this elegant pin: Delivered in green velvet presentation box. During this stage, which lasts for 512 years, vertical growth is very slow, and the tree may take a number of years simply to grow ankle high. This award may be granted for any number of reasons. Where the weak grow strong When young, they grow a long taproot, which usually is 23 metres (6+1210 feet) long; by maturity, they have a wide spreading lateral root system with several deep 'sinker' roots. Four large core areas within the range of the species provide the opportunity to protect the biological diversity of the coastal plain and to restore wilderness areas east of the Mississippi River. 'Neath the murmuring pines of the Old North State! Where the soft southern moss and jessamine mate, Vertebrate faunal diversity in longleaf pine savannas. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the most prestigious awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, the award was created in 1963, during Governor Terry Sanfords term. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to North Carolina.. Honorees have shown extraordinary service to the State whether in a public or private capacity. Past recipients include the Reverend Billy Graham, Artist Bob Timberlake, Coach Dean Smith, Michael Jordan, and US Ambassador Mark Erwin. [18], The USDA offers cost-sharing and technical assistance to private landowners for longleaf restoration through the NRCS Longleaf Pine Initiative. Given the condition of the early records placed in the custody of Archives & History, the names of some persons awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine undoubtedly have been omitted. Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great, Please consider the following information before submitting an award request. The Longleaf Pine is the official state tree of North Carolina. Hunt, Jr. (1993-2001), Governor Michael F. Easley (2001-2009), Governor Beverly E. Perdue (2009-2013), Governor Pat McCrory (2013 2017), and Governor Roy Cooper (2017-present). Patterns of herbaceous plant diversity in southeastern Louisiana pine savannas. OnMay 21, 1957,the General Assembly adopted an official state toast. 22LENOIR Caldwell County native, Patrick Crouch, was recently awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the highest honors in the state of North Carolina. This further destroyed the natural seeding process. Here's to the land of the long leaf pine, Low, level, sandy tracts; the pines wide apart; the sunny spaces between full of beautiful abounding grasses, liatris, long, wand-like solidago, saw palmettos, etc., covering the ground in garden style. Spanning nine states in the U.S. southeast, we're working together to restore and manage longleaf pine forest from Texas to Virginia. [26]. Making a toast; photo byOmarG! Some groups such as the Longleaf Alliance are actively promoting research, education, and management of the longleaf pine. For requests that are granted, awards will be delivered. For their cooperation and valuable assistance in furnishing these lists, Mr. Fisher gratefully acknowledges the efforts of Archivist William H. Brown, Governors Records Archivist Mark Valsame and the Search Room staff at the Office of Archives & History.