May 22, 2025
USA250-OC’s inspirational launch was aired on C-SPAN on May 18, followed by inquiries from across the nation. Held in the iconic East Room of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library on January 18, the event featured riveting presentations by Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, and General George Washington. Both leaders emphasized the important role personal character, virtue and self-mastery played in the lives of our Founders and why they remain essential to self-government today.
Orange County Supervisor and Honorary Chairman of USA250-OC, Don Wagner, spoke about the importance of civic literacy and understanding the foundational principles embedded in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Doug Chaffee, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and Honorary Co-chair of USA250-OC, attended the event along with representatives of Supervisors Katrina Foley, Janet Nguyen, and Vicente Sarmiento, each also participating as Honorary Co-Chairs of USA250-OC.
To view the entire program, go to Founding Fathers and Civics. To view portions of the program, please see the agenda below. Best viewed on entire screen!
Opening Remarks – Jim Byron, President of the Nixon Foundation and Co-chair of USA250-OC
National Anthem – Tim Kepler
Remarks by Master of Ceremonies – Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez
Historical Invocation – Pastor Matthew Cork
Remarks – USA250-OC Honorary Chair Don Wagner
Remarks – General George Washington
Keynote Presentation – Jeffrey Rosen
USA250-OC Panel Discussion
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham – Co-chair, USA250-OC Chris Lowe – Director of Education, Nixon Foundation Jeffrey Rosen – President/CEO, National Constitution Center General George Washington – First President of the United States