[Pages S6659-S6662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

F_____

AMERICAN RUSSIAN CULTURAL COOPERATION FOUNDATION EXHIBIT

<bullet> Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate and
commend the Honorable James W. Symington and the American Russian
Cultural Cooperation Foundation on the success of their exhibit ``The
Czar and the President, Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln.'' Housed in
the magnificent Palace of Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg,
Russia, and the State Archives of the Russian Federation in Moscow, the
display included an impressive collection of documents, art, and
personal artifacts of Czar Alexander II and President Lincoln.
The exhibit debuted in St. Petersburg with great fanfare on April 26,
2011, with representatives from the American Russian Cultural
Cooperation Foundation, ARCCF, and Russian government officials in
attendance. Russian Minister of Culture, Mr. Alexander Avedyev, and
ARCCF chairman James W. Symington, presided over the ribbon cutting,
while the Kremlin's Presidential Band provided entertainment. The
exhibit was widely covered by the Russian media, and featured in the
Washington Post and the New York Times.
Timed to correspond with the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of
the serfs and the beginning of the Civil War, the exhibit explored the
commonality of Czar Alexander II and President Lincoln as liberators
who ultimately met a tragic end. Although they never met personally,
they exchanged warm correspondence, and shared a somewhat unexpected
friendship. Through a study of these two leaders, visitors became
acquainted with the often unexplored history of mutual respect and
friendship during the Civil War era.
``The Czar and the President'' closed on July 31 after receiving rave
reviews. Reviews of the exhibit can be read below. I hope my colleagues
will join me in congratulating Mr. Symington and the ARCCF, and thank
them for their continued dedication in preserving the cultural and
historical ties between the United States and Russia.
Mr. President, I ask to have printed in the Record a copy of the text
of the guest book.
The material follows.

The Guest Book from the Exhibition, The Czar and the President,
Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln, The Liberator and the Emancipator

FOREWORD

Years ago I came across an obscure amount of US-Russia
relations during our Civil War. Tsar Alexander II's favorable
disposition toward our Union and his friendly correspondence
with President Lincoln were pages missing from my school and
college textbooks. Even the goodwill visits Russian fleets in
1863 to New York and San Francisco during our time of trial
had been erased from memory to say nothing of the eloquent
dispatch sent in 1861 by Russia's Chancellor, Prince
Gorchakov to his Minister in Washington, Gustav Stoekl which
reads in part:

``For the more than eighty years that it has existed the
American Union owes its independence, its towering rise, and
its progress, to the concord of its members, consecrated
under the auspices of its illustrious founder, by
institutions which have been able to reconcile order with
liberty . . . In our view, this Union is not only a
substantial element of the world political equilibrium, but
additionally, it represents the nation towards which our
Sovereign and Russia as a whole, display the friendliest
interest. . .
In all cases the American Union may count on the most
heartfelt sympathy on the part of the Sovereign in the course
of the serious crisis which the Union is currently going
through . . . ''

These sentiments *, made manifest by the good will visits
of Russian fleets to New York and San Francisco in 1863, had
to be reassuring to a President rightly concerned over the
possibility of foreign intervention inimical to his cause.
It was the purpose of our Tsar and President exhibit to
acquaint Russian citizenry and officialdom with this vivid
history of accord and mutual respect. I trust the attached
citizen reaction warrants the claim, ``mission
accomplished''.
James W. Symington
Chairman
American Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation
*Translated from Russian by Dr. Jay Strickland Ryfa,
Counselor to the American Russian Cultural Cooperation
Foundation
____

A wonderful exhibition from an educational point of view
and as a general idea. The parallel between the Czar and the
President is quite unexpected. It was very interesting with a
lot of wonderful exhibition items. Thank you from the press.
Editorial staff of Rossiyskie Vesti
Editorial staff of Min Novostey

[[Page S6660]]

____
A wonderful and a very interesting exhibition! Thank you
very much for a subtle approach toward these two individuals!
Many thanks to the organizers of the exhibition.
S.M. Yemelyanova, the Museum of the Moscow Kremlin
____

A remarkable idea of the exhibition and its realization.
With gratitude, the Kokoshkin family
Very Educational!
Thank you!
____

A very good exhibition, especially for our time, when anti-
Americanism is on the rise.
The exhibition is informative and well organized! It helped
us to compare what seemed to be different historical events
and filled the gaps in our knowledge of history. Thank you.
The Kryuchkov family
____

Thank you to the organizers of the exhibition. The best
gift one can think of in honor of the February 23 holiday is
not only to men but also to women, the Muscovites and the
guests of our capital city. To all of us who love history.
February 23, the Timoshevsky family
____

Thank you to the organizers if the exhibition and
congratulations on the day of Defenders of the Fatherland.
Everything was organized splendidly. I saw many new
documents, exhibits, and copies. Pity that the genius like
that of Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln is rare these days;
while a socio-political mechanism capable of removing tyrants
like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi has not been
invented. Picturesque canvasses, sculptures, and photographs
are works of art. Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
S.I. Manuylov, engineer. February 23, 2011
____

Thank you very much for this very interesting and
informative exhibition. The organizers succeeded in arranging
the exhibits in a very logical manner. Thank you for the idea
of comparing these two remarkable individuals.
Yulia and Tatiana. February 23, 2011
____

Thank you so much for an interesting and unusual exhibit!
Bulat and Marina Guzairov
____

A very informative exhibition.
Sincerely, Anna and Victor Shakhmatov
____

A splendid exhibition. Very informative. Thank you!
Retired
____

A unique exhibition. It is very informative and tastefully
executed. Thank you very much.
A Candidate of Technical Sciences
____

Very informative and interesting exhibition. Thank you very
much. 02.24.2011
____

Thank you for the informative exhibition! I hope that the
links between Russia and the United States will continue to
grow, and historical parallels will be justified! 02.24.2011
____

Thank you very much for the exhibition. I felt as if I had
visited another dimension, a different world. I felt proud
for once great Russia. Will we be able to bring it back one
day?
Svetlana, a homemaker, 02.24.2011
____

Thank you to the organizers of the exhibition for a huge
work. The exhibition is very enriching and instructive.
Staff of the Museum of History of the Moscow State
University, 02.25.2011
____

It was interesting to see personal belongings of Abraham
Lincoln.
A student of the Sholokhov Moscow State Humanitarian
University
____

A splendid exhibition!!! Thank you!
Students of the 10th Grade, School No.: 875
____

Thank you very much from a colleague, a graduate student at
the Department of History of the Moscow State University.
February 25, 2011
____

Instructive, informative, professional! Deep gratitude to
the colleagues from the State Archives of the Russian
Federation and the museums participating in this project. The
exhibition is interesting, enriching, and timely. 02.25.2011
____

I enjoyed the exhibition immensely. Once again I came in
close touch with Russian history. Thank you very much and
further successes! 02.25.2011
____

A wonderful project and very timely for contemporary
Russia. 02.25.2011
____

The exhibition is unique and emotional. It makes one think
about history of both countries, which one should know and
should not forget. Thank you to the State Archive and the
Museum of History.
Tiutchev Museum in Moscow, February 27, 2011
____

It would be nice if our stately rulers paid a visit to the
exhibition. Perhaps they might learn lessons from history and
hopefully understand it. 02.26.2011
____

I completely agree with your statement.
A wonderful exhibition! Excellent staff. They deserve
bonuses.
____

It is interesting to note that ever since then until today
the Americans and the Russians never fought each other with
guns. Let it be like this in the future! 02.27.2011
____

I learnt many new things. I was impressed with the
exhibited items. The exhibition is interesting and expert.
Thank you.
____

Thank you for expertly executed exhibition, rich, and
instructive. We examined the exhibition with great pleasure.
Thank you very much!
I.P. Dobysh, G.
Yu. Geatsintova
____

02.27.2011 Thank you very much to the organizers of the
exhibition.
____

Dear organizers of the exhibition! I would like to thank
you wholeheartedly for great pleasure to get in touch with
history. I feel privileged to write these lines into the book
created by true historians.
Sincerely yours, F. Melentyev
____

02.27.2011 To the organizers of the exhibition. It is very
interesting and informative.
____

March 2, 2011. Thank you for the exhibition. Did they show
it in the United States?
____

March 2, 2011. An interesting exhibition. I learnt a lot of
new things. What complicated lives! High professionalism of
the organizers of the exhibition. Thank you. It is strange
that the exhibition is free of charge--the Archive could have
used the money.
Sincerely, Zvonareva
____

March 2. The exhibition is interesting and informative.
What a pity that our contemporary czars in contrast to the
former do not treat Americans well, as well as their own
people.
A. Kolokoltsev
____

Thank you very much to the organizers of the exhibition. It
is a splendid idea to compare the lives of two remarkable men
and to demonstrate the role of an individual in history.
A student of the Lomonosov Moscow State University
03.02. Thank you very much for this exhibition. Many
genuine historical items. I liked it very much.
Natalya
____

03.02.11. While looking at this exhibition, one cannot help
feeling a special sympathy toward the world history of
humanity. This sentiment is caused by this wonderful
exhibition.
____

03.02.2011. Thank you very much to the staff of the State
Archives of the Russian Federation and their American
colleagues for a wonderful and informative exhibition. Let
the relations between our countries be always friendly as
they were in the nineteenth century, thanks to the efforts of
the Emperor Alexander II and President Lincoln.
____

Thank you for an interesting exhibition and the guided tour
by Tatyana Fedorovna.
--Students
____

A bow to all who care about history and glory of the
Fatherland. Thank you! 03.05.11.
____

The exhibition is quite modest. Too many accents were made
by Mme. Zakharova on the so-called ``liberalism'' and
``liberal idea.'' Down with them! A slave's collar is a
pinnacle of the exhibition. A replica for multimillion guest
workers. Hail to Russia! Carthage will be destroyed!
____

Thank you very much! A very interesting, rich, and
informative exhibition. 03.05.2011
____

The exhibition is well prepared and rich in content. I have
seen many items for the first time. The texts were very
helpful. Pity that the exhibition booklets were not
available. I wish the exhibition was covered by the central
TV and by the press so that more people would learn about it.
03.05.2011.
____

Thank you very much! A very interesting exhibition.
Especially the display of items of the Russian Emperor
Alexander II.
03.06.2011 Smirnov
____

An interesting and well-presented historical exhibition.
Something to remember. 03.06.2011.
____

Thank you very much for a wonderful exhibition. It is very
well arranged. The exhibition turned out to be rich and
memorable.
Sincerely, Ylya and Irma 2011.03.05
____

The exhibition is ``super''! I loved absolutely everything.
And very important, it was free. Thank you very much. =)
____

The exhibition was so-so, but I liked it even though I
hadn't read anything. I like the best the saber, the
cartridge, and the rifle. 10 years. 03.03.2011
``You are a young fool! Study more and get smarter!''
____

A good exhibition. It would be nice to exhibit the entire
correspondence between Lincoln and Alexander II. 03.06.2011.

[[Page S6661]]

____
The fate of both A. Lincoln and Alexander II was tragic.
Russia and the United States do not have friendship that the
President and the Czar Liberator were dreaming of.
____

Unfortunately, state people of this scale do not exist. And
the liberated people are engulfed in wars, hypocrisy, avarice
and godlessness. Help them Lord, to wake up and be worthy of
the life on Earth!
____

March 6, 2011
In his speech in St. Petersburg in 1865, the Ambassador of
the United States to Russia, Cassius Clay, said remarkable
words: ``I want peace for the whole world and peace between
Russia and the United States for the longest time.''
It would be nice for leaders and the government of the
United States to remember this ``precept of the ancestors''
and adhere to it in today's policy. They should not interfere
in the internal affairs of other countries on other
continents and not impose their will to bring their
``democracy'' on the bayonets. The bombardment of Yugoslavia
was a war crime. In Iraq peaceful people are dying even
today, and thousands and thousands are victims thanks to US
interference. Now they are bringing their ships to the shores
of Africa. Lincoln would have been ashamed of America today.
____

The exhibition is wonderful, deep gratitude to its
organizers
79 years old. March 6, 2011
____

Deep gratitude and admiration to the authors of the project
and the organizers of the exhibition.
Members of the Union of Friends of Bulgaria. 03.09.2011
____

03.10.2011. A surprising exhibition about our history. I
wish it taught something to our ruling elite. We lost so
much, poor Russia! Thank you very much to all who had worked
on it.
G.V. Guseva
____

03.10.2011. Thank you very much for an interesting
exhibition to dear staff of the State Archives of the Old
Acts (and the State Archive of the Russian Federation). I was
especially impressed by the Emperor's signature, ``So Be
It,'' the nautical maps of the depths of New York Bay, and
the ``sand box'' of Lincoln's secretary.
Thank you!
____

A splendid exhibition! I cannot find words to express my
enthusiasm. Marvelous! Many thanks to all organizers of the
exhibition! All items are simply wonderful. We would not have
been able to see it anywhere else! So much knew and
previously unknown was revealed in these rooms. A deep bow to
all staff of the State Archives. I wish everyone good health
and happiness so that you would always bring us joy with such
exhibitions.
Frequent visitor L.V. 03.10.2011
____

One recommendation: the descriptions of the items are
printed in a very small font. Please, take these small flaws
into account for future exhibitions.
____

03.11.2011.
The staff of the Russian State Archive of the Photo
Document expresses deep gratitude to the organizers of the
exhibition and a wonderful guided tour.
Sincerely,
The Archive Deputy
____

03.11.2011. Thank you for the exhibition, for knowledge,
and for your efforts to pass it to the visitors.
State Archive
____

Thank you to the organizers for the idea of the exhibition
and its implementation. Many interesting things, but the
historians love dates. The first stands lack the dates of
birth and death of Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln.
Thank you, Kilmov
____

Thank you for a wonderful exhibition, for your high
professionalism, and love toward history and great people. A
lot of interesting documents. I learnt a lot of new things.
Thank you. Sincerely. . .
____

Thank you very much to American and Russian organizers of
the exhibition for the opportunity to familiarize myself with
priceless relics of the dramatic period in history of the
United States and Russia, when the relations between two
great nations were so friendly.
Sincerely,
I.S. Kuryanova
____

March 13, 2011. Thank you very much for the exhibition!
Very interesting and informative.
O.V. Lipina
L.I. Borzova
____

Thank you very much for an informative and well-organized
exhibition!
A. Ignatov
____

The originals! I am very happy to see them here. I received
aesthetic pleasure. Thank you! 03.13.11.
____

Many thanks for such a remarkable exhibition.
Elena, Dmitry.
March 13, 2011
The Anniversary of the death of Alexander III
____

``Yes, there used to be people in our time. . .''
Retired. Moscow. 03.13.11.
____

We are grateful to the Exhibition Hall of the Federal
Archives for the opportunity to get acquainted with the
history of Russian and American relations. A remarkable
exhibition, very informative.
O.I Likhomanova
M.V. Klochkov
____

03.13.2011. One of the best exhibitions held by the
Archives. Thank you very much.
Philatova, retired.
____

Thank you for a well prepared exhibition and the
opportunity to refresh in our memory the great history of
Russia.
Oleg and Olga Mikhaylov
____

I would like to express big gratitude to the organizers of
the exhibition. The very idea of the exhibition is brilliant,
and its implementation opens for the visitors a plethora of
interesting facts from history of two great nations.
E.M. Spirina
____

Let the foundations of cooperation and friendship built by
these two great leaders of our countries live and strengthen
despite all. Thank you to the State Archives and the American
side for the contribution to this noble affair.
Yu. F. Blochkarev,
retired in 1967-70
USA Department of the Ministry of Foreign Trade
____

The exhibition once again confirms the Universal Mission of
Russia and the inevitable retribution for the sin of
regicide.
With gratitude and respect to the organizers, E.A. Rusanov,
03.16.11
____

Thank you for a very good exhibition.
03.16.2011, Atlanta, GA, USA
____

A very interesting exhibition. Thank you very much!
03.17.2011.
____

I am a frequent visitor of your exhibitions. I leave this
exhibition with a feeling of deep gratitude to the organizers
of this exhibition. It is splendid and arranged with great
taste. Carry on!
I.K. March 17, 2011
____

I liked everything. It was very interesting!
Thank you for an interesting exhibition!
Students of the Lomonosov Moscow State University express
their gratitude to the organizers of the exhibition for the
opportunity to get familiar with the heritage of two key
figures in the history of the United States and Russia.
03.19.11
____

A wonderful exhibition!
The US Club at the Moscow State University, 03.19.11
____

I learnt a lot. Thank you!
Student from Kazakhstan, Moscow State University
____

Thank you very much for the exhibition. It was interesting
to learn about such outstanding state figures. I am looking
forward to future exhibitions!
Svetlana Abashina
____

Thank you very much for such an interesting and well-
organized exhibition, for your contribution.
Sincerely . . .
____

I am grateful to the staff of the Archives, and the
organizers of such monumental historical tours into the
history of our country, including world history. ``The
Revolution always devours its children. New progressive ideas
and the practical steps toward new life meet the resistance
of reactionaries with the personal imperative of a master. A
Russian person is always looking for a master. . .''
A.M. Gorsky ``Master''
____

A very remarkable exhibition! Unique items from American
Museums that rarely come to Russia. Interesting parallels
between two statesmen. Thank you to the organizers for
pleasure!
03.11.11.
____

Interesting! 03.20.2011
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A staggering exhibition! I am used to good exhibitions at
the State Archives, but this one is above all praise. One
should bring here all schoolchildren. It is an exhibition
like this that one should teach civil pride and not at phony
classes at schools that teach patriotism. Having seen the
exhibit, I understand that the United States and Russia have
nothing to fight over; we are destined to peace and
friendship by the historic destiny. If only everyone
understood this! I will use the catalog of this exhibition in
my classes. Thank you very much!
03.20.2011
____

Thank you very much for an interesting and informative
exhibition. Pity that the catalog is too expensive. I wish
there was one less expensive. Good luck and have more
visitors!
03.20.2011
____

Thank you. As always, everything is very interesting and
lucid. I wish there was an exhibition dedicated to Russian
Empresses, beginning with Catherine the Great and ending

[[Page S6662]]

with Alexandra Fedorovna and the Great Duchess Elizaveta
Fedorovna, the wife of Great Duke Sergei Alexandrovich
assassinated by a terrorist.
They were all from the European royal families, German,
Danish.
Where does this tradition come from? Why? In the end, it
did not bring prosperity to the Russian royal family, or the
country.
Retired
____

Many interesting unknown data that slightly changed my
opinions about the Northern States for the better. Thank you.
P.S. I would like to visit the Federal Archives to see more
documents about it.
V.V. Smirnov
____

Thank you very much for the exhibition! As soon as I heard
about it, I wanted to come and see it at once. I was not
disappointed. I learnt a lot of new things. And I not only
learnt but also felt of these two heroes as human beings. I
felt that they lived not a long time ago, next to us. It
turns out that even czars thought of people. I was surprised
to find out that the Manifesto was being prepared by a whole
team. It was not just a gesture. Thank you for bringing
history alive.
03.24.2011, M.V. Zvereva
____

We need more exhibitions like this one!!! 03.24.2011
____

No words how tastefully and tactfully this exhibition is
presented. Brilliant. Thank you very much.
R.D., 03.24.2011
____

Thank you very much for a wonderful exhibition! 03.24.2011
____

We express our sincere gratitude for this small, but bright
and informative exhibition. We saw and learnt something new
that we had not known before.
Chritina, 03.24.2011
____

Thank you very much for this exhibition!
Students of the Department of History of the Sholokhov
Moscow State Humanitarian University
____

We express our gratitude for the interesting and
informative exhibition!
Students of the Moscow Institute of International
Relations, 03.24.2011
____

Accept my gratitude for a wonderful exhibition. 03.24.2011
____

Thank you very much for the exhibition and a guided tour.
V.A. Deyneka, Chief Curator of the Exhibition Hall of the
Moscow Archives, 03.24.2011
____

I pass my gratitude to staff member Larisa (that is how she
introduced herself) who knew the material well and gracefully
presented it. Special thanks to the organizers for their
skillful arrangement of exhibits and documents, for the
elegant design, not to mention the precise choice of the
material for the exhibition.
Sincerely, Alekhina, the Moscow State Archive
____

The students of School No. 169 express gratitude for the
guided tour and the wonderful exhibition!
____

The staff of RGANMD thank the tour guide Anna Sidorova for
an informative and warm guided tour of this very interesting
exhibition. 03.25.2011
____

I have already seen it three times. Well done! Great
pleasure. Thank you very much.
03.25.2011, V.N. Akinin
____

A wonderful and noble idea, a timely exhibition. Maybe it
will plant seeds of reason in our souls. Thank you.
Pokrovskaya
____

I attended the ceremonial opening of this remarkable
exhibition in February, but resolved to return to visit it
again to be able to spend as much time as possible examining
the priceless exhibits and documents that have been collected
here in one place. My sincere congratulations to the Russian
and American organizers and curators, whose cooperation in
this is a contemporary illustration of the spirit of common
cause that the relationship between Lincoln and Aleksander
exemplified. All of this is an inspiration to me in my daily
work to forge a more constructive and productive relationship
between our two great nations.
John Beyrle, U.S. Ambassador to Russia
12 March 2011<bullet>

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