By Glenn Gamboa, Associated Press
CEO of Citadel, Ken Griffin, believes that American prosperity testifies to the power of the Constitution. And while the country is preparing to celebrate its 250th anniversary next year, the billionaire of hedge funds wishes to extend public access to the 1787 document.
Griffin announced Tuesday that he would lend his first edition of the Constitution to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for a public exhibition dedicated to the founding document of the United States government. He will also lend at the center his copy of the Declaration of Rights, which he has not previously recognized in public possession, and made a donation of $ 15 million for the exposure – the most important in the history of the center.
“The authors of the Constitution had incredible foresight in the conception of a government system that resisted the test of time and now, more than ever, protects the American dream,” Griffin said in a statement.
Jeffrey Rosen, CEO of the National Constitution Center, called Griffin’s loan of documents and the gift of a “transformative opportunity”.
“The generosity of Ken Griffin will allow us to create a new gallery of founding principles which will tell the story of the American idea of the Revolution through the Constitutional Convention by ratification and until the adoption of the Declaration of Rights,” said Rosen, adding that the new exhibition will also mark the largest renovation of the center since its opening in 2003.
The support arises while the Constitution is increasingly cited, because the three branches of the government sail who should control what.
“The Mission of the Constitution Center has never been so relevant,” said Rosen, adding that the non-profitable non-partisan center is trying to reduce polarization by offering a platform for conservative and liberal constitutional researchers. “It is an honor to summon people of different perspectives for these constitutional debates and conversations. And we are very impatient to continue these conversations. ”
Longtime republican megadoneur, Griffin recently drew attention to his criticism from President Donald Trump.
“The United States was more than a simple nation. This is a brand,” Griffin told Semaor World Economy Summit last month. “It was like a suction for most of the world. And we are eroding this brand at the moment. ”
But Griffin’s representatives said that the donation and the CCN loan have been planned for years.
“The National Constitution Center is a powerful platform to celebrate the founding principles of our country,” said Julia Quinn, director of the citadel philanthropy. “The work he has done to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution, both at the center itself and through its largely available educational programming, is the best in the class and we are delighted with this partnership.”
Griffin bought the rare first impression of the auction at Sotheby’s in New York for $ 43.2 million in 2021, with plans to make the document available for the visualization of the public. He refused to say that when he acquired the rare first impression of 17 constitutional amendments proposed adopted in 1789 by the House of Representatives for examination by the Senate – which, after the additional debate, became the Declaration of Rights.
Caroline Klibanoff, executive director of Made by Us, a non-profit organization that helps museums and history institutions to connect better with those under 30, said that next year, the 250th anniversary of the United States is an “incredible opportunity” to help members of the biggest generation of young people to link their future to their stories.
And at a time when the young generations show increased mistrust of institutions, the National Constitution Center can solve this problem by presenting such important documents, said Kilbanoff.
“They are the generation of verification of the facts. They want to see the original source material and not take your interpretation for that,” she said. “Having the documents at the forefront will be really desirable.”
The Griffin team said that he wanted to celebrate the essential American values of individual freedom, democracy and opportunities with his philanthropy – including his support for the National Museum of the recently opened National Medal and his donation to the National Constitution Center.
“Ken loves America and has shown an extraordinary commitment to our founding principles,” said Caster Carter, head of public affairs of the Citadel. “He deepens deeply about the expansion of access to the American dream, which is supported by these historical documents, and he thinks that America deserves to be celebrated, in particular its 250th anniversary.”
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Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
