Thomas Paine Park Dedication
From Philosopedia
On 8 June 2009, two hundred years to the day that Paine died, a memorial was held in Manhattan at Foley Square to dedicate a new Thomas Paine Park Historical Sign and to plant a tree in his honor. Credit was given to the Parks and Recreation Department for having made the event possible.
In 1977 Paul O'Dwyer, New York City's Council President, named the space across from the halls of justice the Thomas Paine Park. Of Paine, O'Dwyer said, "So there it is - benches and trees and grass - officially dedicated to the memory of one of the world's most profound thinkers to whom all Americans now, in the past, and as long s this Republic stands, owe an everlasting debt of gratitude." His son, Brian, attended the dedication.
Over one hundred attended to hear the following:
- Irwin Spiegelman, President, Thomas Paine Friends, and his wife Martha Spiegelman.
- Eric Foner, DeWitt Clinton professor of history at Columbia University - author of Tom Paine and Revolutionary America and Paine:Collected Writings
- John Nichols, journalist, Washington correspondent with The Nation, author of The Genius of Impeachment
- Frances Chiu, professor at New School University, where she teaches a course on Paine
- Craig Nelson, author of Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations
- Michael DeDora, Executive Director of Center for Inquiry-New York City.
- and Beth Lamont, the contact person for the Corliss Lamont Chapter of the American Humanist Association's New York Chapter.
- Joyce Chumbley brought greetings from the Board of Directors of the Thomas Paine Friends, one of the event's sponsors from Amherst, Massachussets.
- Barbara and Graham Dean, vocalist and guitarist, performed music about Paine.
Proclamations were received from Governor David A. Paterson of the State of New York; from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of the City of New York; Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried of Assembly District 75 in New York; and from Senator Thomas K. Duane, Senate District, New York.
The event was filmed, and afterwards individuals were invited to help plant a tree in the park.
- Paul O'Dwyer's son, Brian
Prof. Eric Foner, History Department, Columbia University
John Nichols, Washington correspondent for Nation
Craig Nelson, writer of history and biography
Michael De Dora, Executive Director, Center for Inquiry-New York City
Beth Lamont, contact for Secular Humanist Society of New York
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaims 8 June 2009 as Thomas Paine Day.
Warren Allen Smith of FANNY helps plant a tree.
(Return to entry for Thomas Paine.)
