F R A N K L I N   D E L A N O   R O O S E V E L T   M E M O R I A L

Washington, D.C.

On to the memorial's second room, the Second Term - 1937 to 1941.

Oh good, there's a lot of things to look at in this room.

FDR's New Deal continues in his second term. Atop this wall display I see the following quote: "I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished." Times were still hard in America at the beginning of his second term, and FDR knew this well when he said those words in his second inaugural address. The other inscription, also said in the same address, reads: "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."

The two sculptural ensembles were created by artist George Segal. The left ensemble, The Rural Couple, depicts a common, everyday couple who are feeling the debilitating ill-affects of the Great Depression. They both look rather inactive and dejected. The right ensemble, The Breadline, illustrates the era's all too common scene of the unemployed standing in line for much needed sustanance.

An uplifting contrast can be found on the opposite side of the wall where artist Robert Graham's work makes another appearance, this time in the form of a mural depicting many of the great things FDR's New Deal has brought to the Nation. Eight programs established by enactment of the New Deal are represented, depicting people overcoming obstacles through state sponsored work programs. Five columns oppose the wall, each displays a portion of the same mural which has been evenly divided up across the columns and is displayed in reverse.

Sorry, these are the only pictures I have, I didn't take any close ups. Pssst! Come over here. I have to confess something, please don't tell anyone. I'm really pressed for time right now, I figure my total time spent here in the FDR memorial will be very short, well below 10 minutes I predict.

Ahhh, FDR's fireside chats. Becoming a regular staple in his second term, FDR's national radio addresses become one of his trademarks, an excellent way of connecting with the public and providing up to date, easily digestible information on the progress of improving the economy, and hence, the life of the ordinary American citizen. This sculpture, The Fireside Chat, was also created by artist George Segal.