by Manley J. Anderson
When the Robert H. Jackson Center is opened May 1, 2001 in the Scottish Rite
Masonic Temple in Jamestown, New York, much of the credit for making it a
reality must go to a local resident who long has admired the internationally
known jurist for whom it is named.
The fast-developing project was made possible largely as a result of the vision
and financial support of Carl M. Cappa, long-time Jamestown industrialist/philanthropist
and Jackson admirer. The $500,000 contribution, along with funds from other
major donors, will be used to set up the center and renovate the building
at 305 E. Fourth St., Jamestown, New York.
Gregory L. Peterson, president of the board of the center, said Cappa played
the key role in moving the center from an idea about honoring Robert H. Jackson
to a reality.
"Carl was able to articulate the vision," Peterson said. "He
is the inspiration which took the idea to a new and viable level."
The center's board members have recognized Cappa's unique role by naming the
theater in the center the Carl M. Cappa Theater. The announcement was made
during a program that included a film complied from a variety of sources by
Peterson. Incorporated were scenes from the film Nuremberg, the German city
where Jackson was chief prosecutor in the Nazi war crimes trials, comments
by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and an interview with
Cappa.
Cappa said Jackson has been a role model for him and he believes the late
Supreme Court Justice was one of the city's greatest citizens, although he
never met him.
"Jackson was a man of very high integrity," Cappa said. "I
like him very, very much."
Cappa described Jackson as "my role model, my hero."
"I have long admired his integrity, his abilities and his accomplishments,"
Cappa said of Jackson.
The Robert H. Jackson Center for International Law and Justice is a memorial,
Cappa said, for a man who "started at the very bottom and climbed to
the very top."
"I wanted local citizens to share in a great person from our community,"
he said of his donation to initiate formation of the center.
Annette Beckett-Lyth, creative director at Bush Industries and on loan for
the project, described what is planned for the location and the general layout
of the building.
She said her objective is to capture the 1940's era - the period at which
Jackson was at his zenith.
"This project has caught fire in the community," Peterson said.
"Jamestown does need a boost and this is part of it."
The attorney told Daniel Bratton, retired Chautauqua Institution president
who is to be the new center's executive director, he would have to wax eloquent
at the May 1 dedication.
Bratton replied, "Waxing eloquent about this project will not be difficult."
Peterson said he has yet to find a negative aspect about the project.
Also participating in the event will be Fenton History Center, whose director,
Christin Stein, said its involvement will be a display and a talk, while its
long-term focus will be on Jackson locally and his later association with
the area and its impact on this phase of his life.
David Wigdor, assistant chief of the manuscript division of the Library of
Congress in Washington, D.C., and very knowledgeable about its Jackson collection,
told The Post-Journal earlier the library expects a very active loan program
with the center on a long-term basis but no permanent transfer of documents
is anticipated.
Wigdor said he also would expect an active involvement between the center
and other libraries that have Jackson materials.
Mayor Samuel Teresi said he is inspired by Cappa and what he has accomplished.
"This man is a giant in my eyes," he said.
The mayor gave Cappa a key to the city on behalf of its residents.
Cappa then mentioned a few of the beneficiaries of his previous philanthropical
activities.
They include The Resource Center, Jamestown Boys & Girls Club, the Cancer
Fund, St. James Roman Catholic Church in Jamestown and Sacred Heart Church
in Lakewood, with Cappa relating, "I'm a member of both."
He has a 52-year association with Crawford Furniture Manufacturing Corp, which
he purchased in 1983.
"I show up (at its office) every day for a couple hours," Cappa
said.
Will he be at the May 1 dedication of the Robert H. Jackson Center?
"God willing," he said.