Date: November 4, 2003
Subject: Guess who's coming to dinner?
A variety of observers were present for Commissioner Yecke's opening remarks on Saturday. Some stayed the entire day, most left throughout the day, which ended around 5:00 p.m. Those who stayed generally sat just beyond the table where each strand subcommittee met. One of the observers stood over my shoulder a few times. Groups represented that I am aware of:
- EdWatch (formerly Maple River Education Coalition)
- MAPSSS
- Minnesota Historical Society and Minnesota Human Rights Commission, representatives of which were permitted direct participation in the committee's work even though they were not on the committee
- Minnesota Center for Community Legal Education (promotes the federal curriculum, We The People, and submitted comments on the first draft standards under the name "MN Civics Group")
- Unite 196
- Minnesota PTA
Nelson Garcia from WCCO-TV, with a videographer, covered the event and interviewed Marc Doepner-Hove and others. Norman Draper from the Star Tribune interviewed Julie Quist from EdWatch, and others, for his story that ran in Sunday's paper. His photog took pictures of the Commissioner and of a minor confrontation that took place at the 8:00 a.m. press conference. There was apparently an Associated Press reporter there, because the AP ran a detailed account of the day. John Welsh from the Pioneer Press also reported on the meeting.
