GPO Hosts 4th of July Rooftop Picnic

By Cary Sherburne, Senior Editor

July 7, 2005 -- As thousands of people streamed into the historic Washington D.C. Mall to observe the Nation’s 229th Independence Day celebration, the Government Printing Office was hosting its own celebration on the rooftop of its historic building at North Capitol and G Streets. Some 350 guests joined Public Printer Bruce James for the GPO’s Third Annual Rooftop Picnic, with members of Congress, GPO employees and their families, and other friends of the GPO, including Yours Truly, taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in this special event.

The 4th in Washington was favored with beautiful weather, and though security was high, with many streets blocked to vehicle traffic, it was manageable and the crowds were in good spirits. Americans from all over the country joined visitors from around the world, visiting the many museums and monuments scattered around the Capital and staking out their spots in the grassy Mall well in advance of the evening’s festivities.

Meanwhile, the GPO staff was busy getting ready for the evening’s event, with both Veronica Meter, the GPO’s Director of Public Relations, and Gary Englehart, Assistant Chief, Facilities Division, among those arriving very early in the day to ensure that the event went off flawlessly.

Prior to delivering brief remarks during the event, James introduced Mark Chandler of the GPO’s Shipping and Receiving Department, who sang America The Beautiful ( hear Mark's wonderful rendition 340KB MP3) for an appreciative crowd. In his remarks, James quoted from John Adams, who, on July 3, 1776, talked about how the future would remember the historic events surrounding the founding of our country. Interestingly, Adams predicted that the event would be celebrated with fireworks, which it still is today, after 228 years. James urged attendees to think about the young men and women overseas fighting for America, and dedicated the event and the fireworks to our courageous soldiers, wherever they are serving. He also dedicated a new GPO flag to memorialize the GPO’s digital transition, and retired the old one, that bore a picture of a Franklin printing press.

As I spoke with GPO employees from all levels of the organization during the event, it was not uncommon for people who had been long-time—20 years and more—employees to comment that they felt the GPO had stagnated and that their careers there lacked challenge, but that with James coming on board, a “breath of fresh air” had been breathed into the organization. People displayed a high level of enthusiasm for the changes the GPO has been undergoing, not all of which, I am sure, have been easy.

James also informally announced that Congress had set aside nearly $24 million to assist the GPO in its digital transformation, pending approval on a project-by-project basis. Since assuming the role of Public Printer in late 2002, he has made it his mission to migrate the GPO from the 19th to the 21 st Century, and WhatTheyThink has cataloged his progress in a number of interviews. This funding is an additional feather in his cap, providing the means to continue the organization’s progress toward that goal.

Photo Gallery

The lighted dome of the Capitol floats in the night sky.

The GPO rooftop offers stunning views of Washington D.C. Although there is significant construction going on in the Nation’s capital, Public Printer Bruce James indicates that a building height restriction protects the views that may one day soon belong to Condo owners as the GPO examines development opportunities in preparation for its move to new facilities.

These photos don’t begin to do justice to the magnificent fireworks display over the Mall area.

Public Printer Bruce James welcomes attendees and shares brief remarks.

James and Director of Public Relations Veronica Meter proudly unveil the GPO’s new flag, which was designed internally at the GPO.

Nora James, wife of Public Printer Bruce James, watches as James delivers a few brief remarks.

Some attendees dressed in patriotic attire for this casual event, including GPO Information Technology Specialist Diane Atkins, pictured here.

Rooftop seats were filled with guests as the fireworks display got underway, accompanied by a live NPR broadcast of the main event at the Mall featuring singer Gloria Estefan.

This report was written by Cary Sherburne. She can be reached via email at cary@sherburneassociates.com, online at www.sherburneassociates.com and by telephone at 603-430-5463.

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