Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and Happy Holidays!

Today the public interest has won!

I'm delighted to announce that the coalition of foundations and citizens assembled by the Trust for Public Lands and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was successful in its bid to acquire the historic Hunt House in Waterloo, New York on behalf of the National Park Service.

This is wonderful news to the development and completion of Women's Rights National Historical Park. It is a terrific gift to everyone who hoped that the intent of congressional legislation, which created this national park 19 years ago this month, was fulfilled today through the acquisition of the last privately-owned structure associated with the beginnings of the women's rights movement in America.

The Trust for Public Lands, at my request, and with the National Trust and many generous donors from throughout the nation, came together in a common purpose to forge a deal that had the public interest at heart.

Their purpose has resulted in the acquisition of the Hunt House so that it can be owned by the people of the United States.

Unfortunately the bidding war that ensued and culminated today has nearly depleted the funding pooled together, so money that would have otherwise been spent on restoration, had to be used to have a winning bid.

This afternoon, however is a time for celebration, for these foundations and individuals have succeeded in bringing the Hunt House to its rightful place: as part of Women's Rights National Historical Park, within the stewardship of the National Park Service, and open to the public for their education and enjoyment.

Now when people come to Waterloo and Seneca Falls to visit these historic houses and to learn more about the beginnings of the women's rights movement in America, they will have access to the Hunt House.

The story of the Tea hosted by Jane Hunt at her home and attended by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, MaryAnn M'Clintock, Lucretia Mott and Martha Wright, will be an active part of the story of struggle and perseverance that is commemorated in this National Park and by an Act of Congress.

That story will be told by National Park Rangers in context so that visitors have a clear understanding of how a Ladies Tea inspired the drafting of the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments at the M'Clintock House.

Local, regional, national and international visitors will learn how a Ladies Tea attended by five women turned into a gathering of about 300 men and women at the Wesleyan Chapel in July 1848 to discuss the social and political status of women in the 19th century.

Americans will be able to stand in the parlor of the Hunt House and by doing so, be inspired by the Ladies Tea that sparked the First Women's Rights Convention in our country.