(2006-0510-F) Millennium Matinee - June 12, 2000 - Millennium Council

The materials in FOIA 2006-0510-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 request 2006-0510-F contains materials relating to remarks by the President and the First Lady at the Millennium Matinee event held at the White House on June 12, 2000. 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. The topics varied each time, and the evenings generally showcased a prominent scholar or an artist as speaker. The 9th Millennium Evening, renamed Millennium Matinee due to its earlier time frame, was entitled “Exploration Under the Seas-Beyond the Stars.” The event showcased scientific discoveries in the deep ocean and in outer space. Guest speakers were marine researcher Marcia McNutt and astrophysicist Neil de Grasse Tyson. Both the President and the First Lady gave brief remarks at the event in front of an audience of local schoolchildren, and participated in a question-and-answer session. In their remarks, President and Mrs. Clinton discussed American’s heritage of exploration, the importance of studying the oceans and outer space, as well as a recent draft report on climate change. The White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) Alpha Files contained no relevant records. The WHORM Subject Files contained one responsive document. WHORM Subject File SC consists three drafts of the President’s speech at the Millennium Matinee. These drafts are dated June 11 and June 12, 2000. The White House Staff and Office Files contain correspondence, memoranda, publications, research materials, schedules and speeches maintained by individual offices and staff members. In the First Lady’s Office, Speechwriter Laura Schiller’s file contains email correspondence and research regarding Mrs. Clinton’s remarks at the Millennium Matinee, as well as drafts of those remarks. The Millennium Council files of Jennifer Ballen, Sarah Howes, and Ellen Lovell contain relevant material. Jennifer Ballen’s file consists of documents relating to the event as a whole, including invitations, event programs and welcome letters, press releases, and articles. Sarah Howes’ files include invitation lists, research on both ocean and outer space exploration, background information on the speakers and participants, event logistics, and related correspondence. Ellen Lovell was Deputy Assistant to the President and Advisor to the First Lady for the Millennium Program. Her files contain correspondence regarding the Millennium Matinee event, background information on speakers and participants, planning documents, speech drafts, and research on exploration. In the Office of Speechwriting, Samir Afridi was responsible for writing the President’s remarks for this event. His file consists of research and correspondence on topics related to ocean and outer space exploration. The Automated Records Management System (ARMS) Emails contain more documents regarding the President’s and First Lady’s remarks at the Millennium Matinee on June 12, 2000. The relevant emails are dated May 10, 2000 to August 15, 2000. They contain general discussion of the Millennium Matinee, correspondence regarding the President’s and First Lady’s remarks, drafts of these remarks, press schedules for the First Lady, and briefing materials.