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.

Within eyeshot I see a wide waterfall. What could this be all about? The New Deal established many public work projects, one of the most innovative being the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority. New sources of electrical power were created and efficient distribution systems were put into place. In addition to providing more electricity to industry to help create needed jobs, electrical service was made available in places where in the past no service was provided.

More inscriptions, more inspiring quotes: "I propose to create a civilian conservation corps to be used in simple work... More important, however, than the material gains will be the moral and spiritual value of such work." -- "It is time to extend planning to a wider field, in this instance comprehending in one great project many states directly concerned with the basin of one of our greatest rivers."

Fancy that, another FDR quote! "We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember any oppression, any injustice, any hatred is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."

Hmmm, that sounds pretty reasonable. FDR is holding high the torch of civil rights and civil liberties. Too bad, the reality of the Nation at the time was very much a segregated society. It's been said that FDR didn't do enough to champion the weight and measure of his quote.

Since we're discussing quotes, I've always wondered about something. I've always been a little suspicious about quotes, especially the famous ones that come from mouths of public officials. No doubt, the quotes sound great and they're very inspirational. I just wonder if they were really coined by the supposed author.

Take the President of the United States, for example. The dude's got a lot of things on his plate. You think he has time to think up really creative quotes, little tidbits needed to motivate the masses? I'm thinkin' there's someone (a quote writer?) behind the green curtain who's conjuring up a slew of quotes, and the President takes the pick of the litter.

Wow! I'm whipping right along on my tour, I've just arrived at the memorial's third room, the Third Term - 1941 to 1945.