Breaking: Big Dawg to lead procession to Capitol tomorrow morning!

[StellaBlue]

I work in the Capitol, and just found this out before leaving today.

Bill Clinton is going to lead the procession to the Capitol tomorrow, Saturday, September 16th. The rotunda, where Ann will be lying in state, will open to the public at 9:30am.

I am totally going to be down there, in hopes of catching a glimpse of Big Dawg and this historic occasion. Let me know if you'd like to meet up.

[tammywammy]

1. Too bad I work tomorrow

I wish I could go, but it's too late notice for me to get someone to cover for me.

Have a safe drive down.

[Melissa G]

2. What time? Where? Maybe so....

[StellaBlue]

3. Details

http://keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_258173319.html

Julie Simon
Reporting

(CBS 42) AUSTIN Nearly two days after former governor Ann Richards passed away, Austin is making plans for three days of events to honor the pioneering politician.

Starting Saturday Richards’ casket will lie in state in the Capitol rotunda. Her body will be escorted inside by her good friend former President Bill Clinton.

Plans are still being worked out because there has been such an outpouring of love and admiration for the late governor, her family wants to give the public ample time to pay their respects.

Saturday at 8:15 a.m. former President Clinton will arrive at the Capitol. He will greet Richards; casket and her family.

They will then go inside the Capitol rotunda where the President and one family member will make some remarks.

The ceremony is closed to the public.

At 9:30 a.m., the front doors of the Capitol will open to the public.

People are allowed to bring personal cameras, but are advised there will not be an official spot to leave flowers.

Capitol doors on Saturday will close at 8 p.m.

Sunday, the public can pay their respects from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday night Richards' casket will be taken from the Capitol to an undisclosed location. Her coffin will not be at Monday’s memorial service.

The service is at 12 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center on the University of Texas campus. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.

“ I do believe this memorial service will be unlike any other,” family spokesperson Cathy Bonner said.

Speakers will include Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, columnist Liz Smith and former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros.

The service will run from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. People can bring cameras but are discouraged from bringing flowers.

The Erwin Center is expected to be packed and parking could be an issue. Since it's on Monday, state lots will be full with state workers' cars. So you are going to want to come early. Street parking may be your best option.

The family requests all donations go through the Austin Community Foundation at P.O. Box 5159. You can call them at 512-472-4483.

[Melissa G]

4. Thanks but it sounded like you wanted to meet some DU folks

somewhere at sometime? Yes?

[GOPisEvil]

5. Sigh...

...I have to miss the memorial service. If I could arrange to get off work, maybe...

I'd like to see Clinton speak, but alas, not open to the public.

[StellaBlue]

6. Well, it looks like we will not have the opportunity to see Bill tomorrow.

SO... I will go over there in the morning to pay my respects, and then I am going to ACL, as I have a 3-day pass.

I will take some yellow roses with a note saying they are from democracticunderground.com.

I would totally be up for meeting DUers for the memorial Monday, but I can't take any time off work, unfortunately. :sad:

[sonias]

7. Clinton remembers Richards for her big heart, big deeds

AAS article 9/16
Clinton remembers Richards for her big heart, big deeds
Richards lies in state at the Capitol

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Richards, 73, who served as governor from 1991 to 1995, died Wednesday of esophageal cancer.

"She was big — big hair, big bright eyes, big blinding smile," Clinton told about 50 family members and close friends. "She also had a big heart, big dreams, did big deeds and she had a big impact on other people."

"Besides being big, she was spontaneous, unedited, earthy, hilarious."

Clinton, his voice cracking with emotion at several points during his brief remarks, said that when he arrived at the Capitol Saturday morning, he saw the growing line of people who waited outside to pay their last respects while the private ceremony was underway.

"They were in jeans and work clothes," Clinton said. "They were obviously people who felt empowered because Ann Richards was in public life."

"Winning, by Ann Richards, was not defined as how many votes you got," Clinton said. "It was about what you did with your life.

Sounded like a wonderful ceremony this morning. I'm glad Clinton payed his respects with the Richard's family.
:cry:

Sonia

[Melissa G]

8. Elder daughter and I were there in that line..

We were among the first 10 to get in. We saw Big Dawg when he came out to escort the casket in with the honor guard. Lloyd Doggett was there as well and he came out to see us afterwards. We are trying to get the pics developed but the machine broke down. We saw the yellow roses that we think were from Stella Blue for DU..

[Why Syzygy]

10. I really wish they would allow yellow roses.

I would volunteer to clean up.

[sonias]

11. Melissa thanks for going

I'm going later today to see her too.

Sonia

[Why Syzygy]

9. OH! Thank you!

I am going this weekend too, and now know what to plan. I'm bringing plenty of tissues. It will be break-down time. :cry: . oh sheet . I didn't read the date. too late .. damn it!

[TexasT]

12. Ad for Perry at beginning of video of Clinton's speech on statesman.com!

Hey guys and gals:

I went to the statesman.com and watched Big Dawg's speech at the memorial service, crying the whole time.

BUT to watch the video you have to watch an ad first. I don't have a problem with that but the ad is for RICK PERRY!!! I checked it twice!!!

How can this be?

Writing an lte this evening.

I wish I could be there.

I'll be moving there the first week of October.

Hope to meet everyone soon.

[Melissa G]

13. That is an insult to Ann! n/t

[sonias]

14. It was horribly crass of the statesman to run that ad

And for Perry of all people. But most of us here in Austin already know the statesman has no class, so why should we expect more.

Sonia

[Melissa G]

16. It is Too Bad I don't have a subscription to cancel over it.

I swore them off at the Shrub endorsement!

[sonias]

15. Welcome to DU TexasT

I forgot to say that in my last message.
:hi:

Sonia

[StellaBlue]

17. You all know what happened now, as it was on TV, but...

I just wanted to say, it was lovely to see so many people paying their respects, signing condolence books, etc. My state trooper friends, whom I talked to this afternoon, said it was steady all weekend. It's still surreal to me. That she's gone; that all that was happening in the rotunda. It's weird. I suppose it will hit me more tomorrow, hearing the eulogies.

Anyway - I also went to ACL this weekend, and heard several Texas artists dedicate songs to Ann, one saying, "This one's for the great Ann Richards." And Asleep at the Wheel did "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain".