Robert McWilliam, president of the Foundation, has announced the Twelfth Annual Scottish Symposium was held February 22-24, 2008, in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was a very special occasion as it was a celebration of the Tenth Anniverary of the passage of Senate Resolution 155:  "RESOLVED That the Senate designates April 6th of each year as National Tartan Day."

 

The principal speaker was Alex Reedijk, General Director of Scottisn Opera. He was formerly Executive Director of the New Zealand International Festival opf the Arts as well as New Zealand Opera.

 

At noon on Saturday, there was a luncheon at the College of William & Mary in the Swem Library, at which time The Scottish Coalition USA made a formal presentation of its archival materials to the Library. Many have expressed their pleasure in having the opportunity to visit this great educational institution that was founded by Scotsman James Blair.

On Saturday evening (February 23) there was a reception and dinner, at which time it was announced that former Senator Trent Lott was the recipient of the 2008 National Tartan Day Award, principally due to his leadership in obtaining passage of Senate Resolution 155.

Following is the statement prepared by Robert W. Murdoch, National Tartan Day Chairman Emeritus.

It is an extreme pleasure to be in Williamsburg again to celebrate the Scottish Symposium sponsored by The Caledonian Foundation USA. We gathered here in September 1999 when we presented the original Senate Resolution 155 to the College of William and Mary for display in the Swen Library. We returned here in March of 2003 for another celebration. On each occasion, the reception from the citizens of Williamsburg and in particular our friends at the College has been overwhelming and heartwarming and we give all our thanks.

This year is the 10th anniversary of Tartan Day. The concept of Tartan Day which was based on Tartan Day in Canada, was first discussed at the Scottish Symposium in Sarasota, Florida, in 1996. At that Symposium, there were 6 national Scottish-American organizations that had input into the idea and it was on March 20, 1998 that the U.S. Senate Resolution 155 was unanimously passed by the United States Senate. The effect that that document has had on each succeeding Tartan Day anniversary has been immeasurable.

I cannot think of a more historical location for this event, hi Williamsburg just last May, Queen Elizabeth was an honored visitor here, her first visit in 50 years. The College of William and Mary is the oldest college in the United States, being founded on February 8,1693. It was James Blair, the Scottish-educated cleric who received the Royal Charter. He was named the first President, which was a lifetime appointment. The names of distinguished alumni and professors can fill volumes.

Along with the history of this great region and College, there are other historical matters of significance that merge tonight. Once the success of Tartan Day was obvious, it was decided that we should crown each Tartan Day with a National Tartan Day Award. Our first Award was presented to Duncan A. Bruce, the internationally-known author who wrote three compelling books on Scottish history and personalities. Duncan was the president of the St. Andrews Society of New York, the oldest charity in New York and 2nd oldest charity in the United States, when it celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2006.

The Tartan Day Award for 2008 is one that comes to us from the oldest jeweler in the United States, Shreve, Crump & Low. In 1796 John McFarlane, a watchmaker and silversmith, opened his shop in Boston across the street from another silversmith, Paul Revere. There were consolidations of firms as it grew in prestige and achieved the name by which it is known today. Clients have included Daniel Webster, fixtures for the Old South Church and the famous Davis Cup for tennis.

As a personal touch regarding history, I am a member of the firm of Rawle & Henderson in the Pittsburgh office, which is the oldest continuous law firm in the United States. In 1783, William Rawle began his law firm in Philadelphia, and it has never closed its doors. Mr. Rawle was the first U.S. attorney for the District of Pennsylvania. In one conference room in our Philadelphia office, we have a letter from Alexander Hamilton to Mr. Rawle concerning a case they had together.

As National Chairman of Tartan Day, I have had the pleasure of being involved in the presentation of all of the previous five Tartan Day Awards. Our recipient this year is the Hon. Trent Lott of Mississippi. Calvin Coolidge said once that "A man is never honored for what he has received. Reward is the honor for what he has given". That statement can describe the life of Trent Lott.

Trent Lott was born in 1941 into a family of long-time politicians. None reached the high level that he has, but politics was in his blood. He became a student at the University of Mississippi in 1959 and distinguished himself as a cheerleader and as a member of a vocal quartet, The Chancellors. The tenor in that quartet, who later appeared at various political rallies for Mr. Lott when he was running for office, was a gentleman by the name of Guy Hovis. Most of you probably know him from the Lawrence Welk Show where he and his wife became fixtures and performed as Guy and Ralna.

After graduating from the University of Mississippi Law School and beginning to practice law, Tremt Lott became the Administrative Assistant to Congressman William Colmer, a Democrat. When Congressman Colmer decided he would not seek re-election, Trent Lott ran for his seat as a Republican and won that election and took that seat in 1973. He spent 16 years as a Congressman, rising to the position of Whip. He forges his reputation as a person who is both concerned about and involved with his constituents.

In 1988, he ran for the Senate seat of John Stennis who was retiring and won that seat, keeping it from 1989 until his retirement in December 2007. As a Senator, he continued to work for his constituents. He was deeply involved with the Homeland Security Bill and many important matters of legislation while a member of the United States Senate. He proved himself for being very able to work not only with members of the opposing party, but with whichever President was in office during his tenure. He is the only person to have held the position of Whip in both the House and the Senate.

I have discussed with Senator Lott  his Scottish interests. His wife, Tricia Thompson, like Senator Lott, had Scottish ancestors. Senator Lott wears the Buchanan Tartan and he told me that he was one of the first if not the only Senator to wear a kilt on the Senate floor.

Perhaps we can get a further grasp of his feelings in that regard by looking at the Congressional Record dated April 7, 1997 when Senator Lott addressed the Senate. Let me read some excerpts:

"The date of April 6 has a special significance for all those of Scottish heritage. This year is the 677th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath -- the Scottish Declaration of Independence which was signed on April 6, 1320, and includes these inspirational limes: 'It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.' ''

These statements were made only slightly less than a year before Senate Resolution 155 was passed. His deep feelings for Scottish history and his own Scottish history cry out from his statements on the Senate floor and his sponsoring of the Resolution.