May 30, 2006                                                                          Release May 31, 2006

Jamestown, NY – The author of the book used for the TNT movie “Nuremberg” starring Alec Baldwin as Robert H. Jackson in his role as Chief American Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials is coming to the Jackson Center in Jamestown as “The Holmberg Foundation Speaker.”

Joseph E. Persico will appear at 12:30 noon Monday, June 12, in the Carl Cappa Auditorium of the Jackson Center.  His lecture is open to the public free-of-charge thanks to the Holmberg Foundation and to additional program sponsors named to date:  the DFT Communications Community Betterment Fund of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Evans/Alfies Restaurants, Harris Beach Attorneys, the Robert A. Maytum, Sr./Valley of Jamestown AASR Fund of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Robowash, Summit Financial Advisors LLC, Turner Realty and Rhoe B. Henderson Insurance Agency.  The New York Council for the Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities is a funder of the project.

Author, researcher and former speechwriter for Vice President of the United States Nelson A. Rockefeller, Persico is a native New Yorker and lives in Guilderland, NY.

After receiving a BA in English and Political Science from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany, he entered the Navy, did graduate work at Columbia University and received a PhD from SUNY Albany.

Persico began his political writing career, serving Governor Averill Harriman of New York as a writer/researcher.  He became a Foreign Service Officer for the US Information Agency in Argentina, Brazil and Washington.  By 1966, Mr. Persico became the chief speechwriter for New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller and followed Rockefeller to Washington when he was appointed Vice President under President Gerry Ford.

 Persico transitioned into a full-time author, focusing on historical subjects such as the Civil War and the Rockefeller family.  He published a book, Piercing the Reich: the Penetration of Nazi Germany by American Secret Agents during World War II. In the 90s, Mr. Persico wrote about the CIA as well as the Nuremberg book about Jackson.  More recently, he collaborated with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State Colin L. Powell on Powell’s biography, My American Journey.

In 2001, Random House published Persico’s Roosevelt’s Secret War: FDR and World War II Espionage and in 2004, Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour:  Armistice Day, 1918, World War I and Its Violent Climax.

Persico served on the commission that oversaw the design of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, and penned the words that appear on the monument, “Here we mark the price of freedom.”  Jackson Center Executive Director Rolland E. Kidder also served on the commission.

Jackson Center President Gregory L. Peterson notes that “Joe Persico brings a rich background in historical writing, but at the same time, tells his stories in an easy-to-read understandable style.  He promises to be an entertaining as well as a knowledgeable speaker.”

In preparation for Persico’s appearance in Jamestown, the Jackson Center purchased copies of his Nuremberg book which are for sale at a reduced price of $5.42 at the Center.  Copies may be obtained by stopping in at the Center, located at 305 East Fourth Street, Jamestown, open Monday-Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Arrangements to pick up a book at another time may be made by calling (716)483-6646.

According to volunteer book sale chairman Barbi Price, the Nuremberg book is a very readable and enjoyable historical account of the Nuremberg Trials.

                                    For  more information:
                                    (716)483-6646  
                                    Rolland Kidder, Executive Director
                                    Becky Robbins, Director of Development

June 6, 2006 Release June 7, 2006

History Professors Participate as Panel for Persico Event

Jamestown – Two history professors will participate as panelists as part of the appearance of author Joseph E. Persico at the Robert H. Jackson Center.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 12:30 noon, Monday June 12, in the Carl Cappa Auditorium of the Jackson Center. The program is handicapped accessible from the Prendergast Avenue entrance.

The author of the book used as the basis of the TNT movie “Nuremberg” starring Alec Baldwin as Robert H. Jackson, Mr. Persico is the “Holmberg Foundation Lecturer.” His appearance is co-sponsored by the Holmberg Foundation, the Robert S. Maytum, Sr. /Valley of Jamestown A.A.S.R. Fund of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Harris Beach Attorneys, the DFT Communications Community Betterment Fund of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Evans-Alfies Restaurant, Inc., Robowash, Summit Financial Advisors LLC, Century 21 Turner Brokers and the Rhoe B. Henderson Insurance Agency.

The New York Council for the Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities has granted funds to assist with the program. Co-sponsors helped match the New York Council for the Humanities grant.

Following Mr. Persico’s speech, Professors Dr. Don K. Rowney of Bowling Green State University and Dr. Robert Seddig of Allegheny College will pose questions to Mr. Persico. Audience members also will have the opportunity to speak with Mr. Persico.

Copies of Mr. Persico’s book, Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial, will be available for sale at the event at a price of $5.42. Copies may be purchased at the Jackson Center in advance by calling (717)483-6646.

Dr. Don K. Rowney is the Director, Graduate Program in Policy History, Bowling Green State University. A Fulbright scholar, Dr. Rowney has held many scholar-in-residencies in various Russian and French institutions of higher learning in Moscow and Paris. He received a Ford Foundation research grant, a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship, a Cornell University visiting professorship and a research fellowship with the USSR Academy of Sciences, Institute of the History of the USSR. He has edited and written several books and articles. He organized and co-sponsored with the Robert H. Jackson Center 60^th anniversary commemorative programs of the Nuremberg Trials at Bowling Green this spring.

Professor Robert Seddig is the chair of the political science department of Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Princeton University where he earned his Masters and Doctoral degrees, Dr. Seddig studied German, government and economics in undergraduate work at Carleton College. Dr. Seddig has served as both a University and a Resident Fellow at Princeton and as a National Science Foundation Summer Fellow. He received a lifetime appointment as a Danforth Fellow in 1971 and was an American Bar Foundation Fellow in Legal History. He is has authored and edited numerous books and articles. Dr. Seddig participates in Jackson Center programs by bringing students to the Jackson Center for programs.

Robert H. Jackson Center Executive Director Rolland E. Kidder invites the general public to the program. “Joe Persico is an author of many historical books, including the Nuremberg book, several World War II books and Colin Powell’s “My American Journey. He promises- to be a fascinating speaker.”

“We are delighted that the professors who have worked with the Jackson Center in different capacities previously are willing to participate as panelists in this program. Their participation assures an objective look at Chief American Prosecutor and “hometown guy” Robert H. Jackson,” says Gregory L. Peterson, Jackson Center Board Chair.

The Jackson Center is located at 305 East Fourth Street, Jamestown, NY and at www.roberthjackson.org

For more information: (716)483-6646

Rolland E. Kidder, Executive Director

Becky Irwin Robbins, Director of Development