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VISUAL/STORY OP – March 15

For Immediate Release 3/10/05

WAYNE MORSE FREE SPEECH PLAZA TO BE DEDICATED AND STATUE UNVEILED – GOVERNOR KULONGOSKI TO DELIVER FREEDOM OF SPEECH ADDRESS

Contact: Melinda Kletzok, Public Information, 682.3747

The last finishing touches have been made to the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza and donor paving stones and the community is ready to celebrate. A public event recognizing the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza and unveiling a statue of the late senator will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 15, 125 E. 8^th Avenue, Eugene.

“While this project corrects the unstable and deteriorated walking surfaces, the final outcome also adds a new, vital touch of civic beauty to downtown,” said Lane County Commissioner Bill Dwyer. “Largely that is thanks to the cooperation with the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation, public entities, private and corporate citizens, who have raised the money for a special statue, paving stones and architectural treatment. In addition to being an attractive gathering place, the area is dedicated to free speech honoring Morse. The public will enjoy and appreciate this area for years to come.”

This is a public event and the public is encouraged to attend. 

EVENT

What:              Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza Dedication and Statue Unveiling

Time/Date:      10 a.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Location:        Lane County Courthouse Plaza, corner of 8^th & Oak, Eugene

125 E. 8^th Avenue, Eugene, 97401

Event Detail:  Welcome, Larry Perry, Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation

(WMHPC) Board Member

The Lane County Plaza Project, Bill Dwyer, Lane County Commissioner

Memories of Late Senator Wayne Morse, Aaron Jones

The Free Speech Plaza Project, Laura Olson, WMHPC President

Freedom of Speech, Ted Kulongoski, Governor

Creating the Statue, Gabriel Ponzanelli, Artist

Presentation and Dedication

Refreshments

Background

Work to renovate the County Courthouse entrance and Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza began on August 16, 2004. The renovations were required to replace the deteriorated entrance surface. The project also allowed the Wayne Morse Foundation to make improvements to the Wayne Morse Free Speech Area, including erecting a statue of Morse and placing stone plaques recognizing donors to the project. 

The $700,000 project (not including Wayne Morse Foundation improvements, which were paid by donors) corrected a badly worn and unsafe surface. The Plaza was lowered to sidewalk height and steps and a new access ramp for people with disabilities was installed near the courthouse doors. John Hyland Construction was the contractor.

The Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza was envisioned by the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation (WMHPC) and first approved by the Lane County Board in 1984 to “better enable Lane County’s citizens to exercise their precious rights of free speech and assembly.” Public and private funds have made construction of the Plaza possible. The private portion was raised by WMHPC through sale of wall plaques and ground pavers, and making possible accommodation of the larger-than-life-sized figure of Morse by renowned Mexican sculptor Gabriel Ponzanelli.  The County bore the responsibility for lowering and rebuilding the courthouse entrance.

Some 50 sponsored wall plaques surround the podium and the statue of Morse.  More than 700 granite pavers of various sizes make up the floor of the Plaza, and 87 of the smallest pavers name Morse contemporaries or events that happened during his lifetime.

The Plaza stands as an enduring memorial to Senator Morse, who throughout his life embodied the spirit and independence of Oregon.  Visitors are invited to stroll about the Plaza, identify with the history of the 20th Century and rejoice that we, the people, can gather to speak freely and openly about issues of the day.

Wayne Morse, 1900-1974, was born in Verona, Wisconsin, and moved to Eugene, Oregon in 1929.  He served in the United States Senate from 1945-1969, and was a member of the Republican, Independent and Democratic parties at different times throughout his career.  He became widely known for his independent stands and reasoned debate. He took a major role in landmark legislation for civil rights, fairness in the workplace and access to education.  He was a lifelong advocate for world peace and a leading Senate exponent of international law, as well as a strong opponent of the Vietnam War.

Wayne Morse was professor of law from 1929-1931 and later dean from 1931 to 1944 at the University of Oregon Law School.  He gained nationwide recognition as Pacific Coast Arbitrator for longshore and maritime disputes.  He served as chair on the National Railroad Emergency Board, as a member on the National War Labor Board (1942-1944) and as a delegate to the United Nations in 1960.

*Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation Board  (WMHPC)

Darelle Baker*, Harriet Behm, George Beres, Meredith Burch, Ken Bylund, Sue Bylund, Elinore Darland*, Linda Duggan, Ed Fadeley, Moshe Lenske, Jeffrey K. Lewis, Dianne Lobes, Ellen Maddex, Jayne Mickles*, Cliff Mibank*, Jan Mueller*, Lucinda Muniz-Hale, Laura Olson, Ann Penny, Larry Perry**, Kitty Piercy, Charles O. Porter, Kermit J. Rohde, John Saemann, Grant Schott, Kim Scott, Peter Sorenson, Monroe Sweetland, Ethel Villeneuve, Alison M.,  Voss Ex-officio, Nora Hagerty, Margaret Hallock, Betty L. Taylor

*Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza Project Committee (WMFSPPC)

Members

  **WMFSPPC Project Chair

Statue Artist – Gabriel Ponzanelli

  Ponzanelli is a renowned, third-generation Mexican sculptor who resides in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Ponzanelli has created monumental sculptures in many of Mexico’s major cities, and has been commissioned by countries of three continents, including many metropolitan American cities. His works of religious themes, political and classical sculptures are found throughout his native country as well as in Spain, Beirut, Lebanon, and Italy. Ponzanelli was commissioned for the Senator Wayne Morse statue as a result of being highly recommended by deceased Eugene sculptor Jesse Nazareth, who had worked with Ponzanelli in previous years. For more on Ponzanelli visit the following Website    http://www.gabrielponzanelli.com.mx

The theme and form of the Senator Wayne Morse statue was the result of the artist’s research and by two consultations in Eugene with the WMHPB that included models for the directors to work from. Ponzanelli then created a life-sized clay model of the statue and lastly cast the six-foot “Senator Morse” in bronze. The statue weighs about 600 pounds and was flown to Oregon two months ago. ###

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