School wants place in record book

From: Henderson Gleaner, KY
Nov. 1, 2002

DANVILLE, Ky.- An original printing of the Declaration of Independence to be displayed on campus has inspired Centre College to strive for the record books.

The college hopes to earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for marathon reading of the declaration and other historical documents.

The college will try to surpass the 2001 record held by some Louisiana middle school students who read continuously for 52 hours.

Among the 150 to 200 scheduled readers will be school superintendents, Centre President John Roush, students from the Kentucky School for the Deaf who will "sign read" and read aloud, residents of local senior homes and others.

"This is going to be a real parade of folks," said Mike Norris, Centre's director of communications. "This has just resonated with people. People are calling, saying 'I want to read. I want to be a part of this.'"

The kickoff for the readings is set for 12:45 p.m. EST Sunday, with the reading to begin by re-enactors portraying Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Other community readers will follow.

The attempt at breaking the record will be videotaped and certified by two independent official observers and one tongue-in-cheek honorary judge: "Dead Fred," the portrait of Centre alum and former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred Vinson, who died in 1953. Vinson's portrait goes to every home football game and held a place of honor during the 2000 vice presidential debate at Centre's Norton Center for the Arts.

The Declaration of Independence will be on free public view from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Norton Center on the Centre campus.

Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader

© 2001 The E.W. Scripps Co.