(2006-0509-F) Millennium Evening - October 12, 1999 - Millennium Council

The materials in FOIA 2006-0509-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA 2006-0509-F contains materials relating to remarks given at the Eighth Millennium Evening, titled “Informatics Meets Genomics,” on October 12, 1999. President and Mrs. Clinton created the Millennium Council in 1997 to oversee commemorative and celebratory activities in anticipation of the beginning of the 21st century. As part of this mission, the Millennium Council produced a series of lectures and programs at the White House called Millennium Evenings, beginning in 1998. The topics of each program varied, and the evenings generally showcased a prominent scholar or an artist as speaker. The October 1999 Millennium Evening featured two accomplished scientists. Dr. Vinton G. Cerf, a vice president at MCI WorldCom and co-founder of the Internet, spoke first. He discussed the latest research in and uses for Internet technology, particularly the possibility of an inter-planetary connection between Earth and Mars. The second speaker, biologist Eric Lander of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discussed his involvement with the Human Genome Project. He referenced how the mapping of the human genome would impact policy makers, particularly on matters of privacy and health insurance. Mrs. Clinton introduced the speakers by highlighting the possibilities that technology might present in the future. A question-and-answer session followed the presentations. Many of the questions referenced the privacy issues that accompanied the rapid technological progress. President Clinton closed the program with brief remarks about technological progress. The White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) Alpha Files contain no relevant records. The WHORM Subject Files hold one responsive document. Subject File HO is a packet of drafts for the President’s remarks on the evening of October 12, 1999. The White House Staff and Office Files consist of correspondence, memoranda, publications, research materials, schedules and speeches maintained by individual offices and staff members. In the First Lady’s Press Office, Lissa Muscatine’s file holds a complete transcript of the Eight Millennium Evening, including all of the presentations, comments, and questions. Responsive documents can also be found in the files of the Millennium Council staff. Jennifer Ballen’s file contains three samples of the packets given to attendees at the Eighth Millennium Evening. Advisor to the First Lady Ellen Lovell’s file holds a press release for the October 12, 1999 event. In the Speechwriting office, Samir Afridi was responsible for drafting the President’s comments. His file contains research on past significant American technological discoveries. The Automated Records Management System (ARMS) Emails also hold relevant records. The responsive documents are dated from September through October 1999. They include drafts of all remarks given at the event, press releases, transcripts, and other discussion among White House staff regarding the Millennium Evening.