Lincoln Legacy

Lincoln Legacy

In the 21^st century why should we honor the 16^th US President, President Abraham Lincoln??

The easy answer is Abraham Lincoln is one of the nation's greatest presidents. As a young man, Abraham Lincoln “feared of achieving nothing that would make men remember him.” Today, the 16^th President tops the list of most influential – and most revered – Americans. He commemorated in music, poetry, and sculpture. His words are quoted by poets and politicians. His iconic face appears on stamps, coins, and currency. Mountains, cities, highways, and schools bearing his name dot the land.

He felt his most enduring achievement was the Emancipation Proclamation – “the one thing that would make people remembers that he had lived.”

Indeed, Lincoln’s legacy is most alive in our continuous search for freedom, equality, and opportunity.

For the recent SEAYLP trip, we are indeed privileged to have visited (6) Lincoln’s memorial and learning centre and the basic facts we have learnt are from the books or the places that we visited about this distinguished gentlemen.

• · He was born in Kentucky in a log cabin so small it is hard to imagine how his entire family slept in it.
• · The family moved to Indiana where he was raised.
• · Off to Illinois, the lanky Lincoln became a frontier lawyer, served as a state legislator and won election to the Presidency at a time when the nation’s very survival was at risk.
• · Inaugurated in 1861, he served throughout the Civil War, working to break the grip of slavery and to put the country back together until an assassin brought him down.

A common man forged in uncommon times; undeniably Lincoln is the model American leader that America has ever produced.

Every time when we read these facts again and again, we did get a better understanding about Abraham Lincoln. How a young boy who is weak in knowledge could become the 16^th President of America.

From the start of his early life in Hodgenville, Kentucky, on February 12, 1908, all the way up until the time of his assassination on April 15, 1865, Lincoln was known for being straightforward and honest. He didn’t come from a distinguished family and he spent as much of his time as he could attain as much knowledge as he could.

He had a desire to learn and be an influential leader from the time he was very young. He was in the Black Hawk War and served in the Illinois legislature and spent a few years in circuit courts before he ran against Stephen Douglas for Senator. He lost this race though, but gained a good reputation that won him the Republican nomination for President.

As President, Lincoln fought to keep the United States together. He felt that it was illegal for the southern states to secede from the Union so he went to war with them to keep them in the Union. In the process he managed to free all slaves and make slavery illegal everywhere in the United States. It was a long hard struggle and he was ultimately killed because he succeeded in doing this.

Maybe the greatest asset that Lincoln possessed was ability to speak. He made many great speeches that seemed to make everyone rally around him, and made many people who before may not have believed in him or wanted him to be President, believe and trust in him to lead our country. Even after the Civil War ended he tried to make things very peaceful and was trying to be kind to the southern states in trying to rebuild the whole country as more of a united country, but was assassinated before he could see his plans follow through by John Wilkes Booth, a southerner who thought that he was helping he south.

Abraham Lincoln was one of the most important Presidents in the history of the United States because of what he did to keep the country together in difficult times and abolish slavery. He was the perfect man for the job because of his strong will and his ability to get people to follow him. There aren’t many other Presidents that would’ve been able to handle everything during this time in history as well as Lincoln did. .

In remembrance of him, below are some interesting facts that are well documented.

• · He was born on February 12^th 1809 and died April 15^th 1865 at the age of fifty six.
• · His home state is Illinois.
• · His party was Republican and he was president for four years from 1861-1865, when he was assassinated.
• · His vice presidents were Hannibal Hamlin and Andrew Johnson.
• · He was preceded by James Buchanan and succeeded by Andrew Johnson.
• · His wife was called Mary Todd Lincoln, who was brought up into a very wealthy family.
• · Mary’s parents disagreed with her marrying Abraham because he had a poor background.
• · Abraham had four children, Robert Todd Lincoln, Edward Lincoln, Willie Lincoln, Tad Lincoln. Only Robert Todd Lincoln survived into adulthood.
• · Abraham was an unaffiliated Christian as he never officially acquired church membership.
• · He created a national banking system with the National Banking Act in 1863, resulting in a standardized currency.
• · He was the first president to be assassinated.
• · He had deep depression, even though he would frequently tell stories and jokes to friends and family.
• · He was the tallest U.S president at 6ft 4 inches.
• · He patented a system to alter buoyancy of steamboats in 1849.
• · His birth mother died from milk sickness.
• · His father remarried a widow, and Abraham was very close to his step mother.
• · He ran a store in New Salem.
• · Even though he was strong, a talented wrestler, and proficient with an axe, Lincoln disliked killing and harming animals, even for food.
• · Lincoln proposed to Mary just one year after meeting her in Springfield 1839.
• · He was the first president to have a beard.
• · Lincoln, one week before his death, had a dream of someone crying in the White House, when he found the room; he looked in and asked who had passed away. The man in the room said the President. When he looked in the coffin it was his own face he saw.
• · Lincoln was fond of pets, and owned horses, cats, dogs and a turkey.

In conclusion, President Abraham Lincoln should be honored as the 16^th President of the United States in the 21^st Century for all he had done and his deed are well remembered by all who got to know his achievement that he has done to his country. This man’s history is known worldwide for what he had achieved for America and deservedly be amongst the most distinguished of all the past and present Presidents of the United States of America.

Feelings after leaving SEAYLP Fall 2010

Greetings from Willy from Brunei from the SEAYLP Fall 2010

Before I start anything, I would like to dedicate this texts to everyone who involved in SEAYLP Fall 2010

Thanks for being my friend

Thanks for thinking about me

Thanks for care about me

Thanks for everything you guys did for me

You shouldn't have

But I'm so glad you guys did

It had been a very tough time since the day we left each other - missing each other, sending each other off, etc. However, I personally have faith that blessings and the real SEAYLP have just begun.

Remembering the day when we arrived at the O'haire International Airport in Chicago, everyone seemed to be like strangers. Hence, the whole scenario was being up-sided-down on the last day of SEAYLP Fall 2010 when everyone had to leave to go back to their home country. We were just like best pals, friends, or even FAMILY!

Me, myself, and I believe every SEAYLP participants... are looking forward to have a reunion for SEAYLP.

Lastly, I'd like to say, thank you! I miss you guys! Everyone! EVERYONE! :D

Illinois Maths & Science Academy

It seems like it was the first day elementary school, our imagination start to wander as we stepped into an unfamiliar environment. The journey begun, we met a history teacher and he told us a story and gave a brief introduction of the academy. We had opportunities to interact with the students in the academy. Although we came from different backgrounds, we are able to communicate effectively and connect with each others’ thoughts. The reserved side of us took control and we were afraid to meet new people. However, to our surprise, students in the academy were very nice and this made us feel welcomed. The experience was like a roller coaster ride, and we enjoyed every moment in the academy, the many differences can help us improve our school back home! We can do it!

WATER IS LIFE:Chesapeake Bay - a beautiful place - many nice people

We are now experiencing the last days of SEAYLP 2010. Today is November 17th, we started very early to go to Chesapeake bay, one of the largest bays in USA. At 12pm, a big and beautiful boat came to pick us up. We sailed around to visit the Bay. It’s much more beautiful than I thought. Chesapeake Bay is quiet but graceful beauty . Sitting on the boat and looking around, I saw a lot of trees, nice houses around the bay. It was windy and the water’s tranquil.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge was built in

the early 1950s from Cape Sandy, Maryland, near

Annapolis, west of Kent Island, Maryland. The Bay is

known as the place which offers seafood such as clams, crabs ...

People here are very friendly and hospitable . Many volunteers offer to work here to instruct visitors and give information about the bay . The time in the boat passed so fast but I got acquainted with a volunteer. She‘s about 50 years old and very kind. She told me some interesting stories about this bay and her life. Perhaps she loves her job and of course she loves this area very much. Our conversation is so interesting that I forgot to ask her name. I think the hospitability of people living here makes the Chesapeake bay more beautiful. Beautiful place-beautiful people.

MAKING THINGS HAPPEN: A State Department Simulation

By participating in SEAYLP, not only have we received valuable knowledge through many workshops, service project, water testing and action plan but we also have a chance to try an extremely wonderful activity which we have never experienced before: Diplomacy simulation.

We have the first lesson about diplomacy simulation which was instructed by Shahin on Nov 3. It brought us into a brand new experience. The purpose of the simulation is to address critical issues in each conflict, test new approaches to conflicts, and devise innovative diplomatic solutions. Diplomats will use negotiating skills to reach an agreement and make policies.

There are five main stakeholder groups: the United Nations, Government of The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), United States Department of State, Government of Japan and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Each Stakeholder group will prioritize the possible actions in order to solve problems which have been given. 

Before the real Negotiation begins, all the representatives worked very hard to do research on their own standing and to find the perfect solution which would ultimately benefit all parties. However, a huge amount of flexibility was also required by each stakeholder. For example, Japan initially found soybean as a feasible replacement to reduce the consumption of bluefish tuna which would result in overfishing and IUU fishing. But after all that tedious work, they were forced to scrape off that idea as it simply was not in line with their objectives and goals. The creative ideas which every group came up with to attain their goals and a perfect compromise are indeed praiseworthy.

The morning of 17th November 2010, everybody looks so tired since they have to get up early preparing for their own diplomacy. The negotiation between U.N , W.W.F, F.S.M, U.S, Japan was going severe until the last minute by result 7.125 between F.S.M and Japan.

Thus, the simulation which made everybody worked a lot was finally done. Thanks SEAYLP for giving us such a great opportunity to learn. Though everybody had to work so hard, we had many fun moment during the time we discuss together.   

Posted by Anita and Tracy.

Abraham Lincoln, a name that is always being used in this programme. We revolve around Mr. Lincoln's leadership skills and the participants learning the skills and applying it. When we learn and look up to someone, you need in-depth understanding of the person, for example, the biography of Abraham Lincoln.
Everyone was given the book “Abraham Lincoln”. Reading the book gave me a whole new perception of Abraham Lincoln. A poor boy living in a log cabin that had little education, emerges to become one of the best presidents of the United States. So what on earth did he do and had that made him a leader that served the people? From the book, we learnt that he made full use of the opportunities he had to learn as many things as he could, and that is something the young people nowadays do not do. He studied using the bible, where his mother would recite verses from them.

The group visited Lincoln’s Boyhood Home National Memorial. At the young age of nearly ten, Abraham Lincoln lost his mother. It would be a huge blow to any child. Despite that, he carried on with his life. His father remarried and he got along with his stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnson, immediately. She inspired Abraham to pursue his education and work hard for what he wants.

In Indiana, that was when his real personality and character grew. Every leader must have somebody that he or she looks up to. For Abraham Lincoln, it was most probably George Washington, he read a book about George Washington and motivated him.
Abraham Lincoln’s passion for reading made him a person that is somehow knowledgable and a good speaker.
A person that never fails to fascinates me. Somebody said that when we know more about politicians, the more ugly things we find out about him. However, when we learn about Abraham Lincoln, we learn about the good things he did. To me, it is just amazing how one person can actually change the country and make a difference.
It applies to our daily life. For example, studying and working. In total, Abraham Lincoln only had less than one year of education in his young life, but he became the incredible person we all know. We need to make full use of what we are given, like the materials we have in school, and do the best of our ability.


Posted by Wan Ying and Manica

WATER IS LIFE- Trip to Annapolis, Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay

Not many non- Americans know that Washington D.C. was not always the capital of the United States of America. In fact, the original capital was the beautiful historic city of Annapolis, the capital of the state of Maryland. Us lucky SEAYLP-ers got to visit this beautiful city and take a tour of Annapolis, as well as visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum and take a wonderful cruise out on the Chesapeake Bay.

It was probably the windiest day I have ever experienced in the U.S., with the winds in Annapolis blustering past making me feel like I was being swept off my feet! Cold brisk air always makes a nice time to be by the water, and that was exactly what we got to do at the Maritime Museum! We learned a lot about oysters and the important role they play both economically and ecologically for the people of Annapolis and areas surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. I found it so fascinating that oysters, being filter feeders, actually filter out the plankton from the water and clean the waters of the bay! Did you know that years back, when the population of oysters was still abundant and there was no industrial and agricultural pollution, the oysters in the Chesapeake Bay could filter out ALL the water in the bay in only three days?! That, to me, is AMAZING. It really opened my eyes to the huge roles that all life on earth plays; and that even an oyster, does so much more that produce pearls and sit on our dinner plates.

We also extremely enjoyed our boat ride out on the Chesapeake Bay. The wonderfully helpful volunteers and staff of the Maritime Museum took us out on a cruise, and it was just breathtakingly beautiful to see the skyline of old colonial-style Annapolis from the waters of the Bay. The scenery was beautiful, the weather was just lovely and the people were so nice to all of us; a recipe for a wonderful cruise! We also got to talk to a real waterman who told us about how he makes a living off the waters of the Chesapeake Bay catching oysters, crabs and fish. It was very illuminatiing to talk to a real waterman who truly depends on the bay for his livelihood. I also loved how down-to-earth the people at the Museum were, because they were people who really grew up with hands-on work with oysters and were truly passionate about what they did.

After the boat ride, we went to the Boatyard Bar and Grill for lunch! This fabulous seafood restaurant was famously visited by First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughter. The food was mouthwateringly delicious, with the freshest seafood we have ever tasted. YUMMY! Thank goodness we had to walk a lot after that, at least that helped us burn off the calories from lunch! Delicious! :)

Lunch was followed by a walking tour of the historic city of Annapolis, where we got to see the State House with its beautiful architecture and the opulent houses of Senate and Representatives. The truly luxurious and lavish decor of Italian marble and genuine Tiffany's ceilings were just breathtakingly beautiful and we are at a loss of words to describe it. We also visited the Jonas Green House, or rather as we were told, the Anne Catherine House; which was the first printing press in the United States and the cradle of what is now the ideal of freedom of press that is so upheld and constitutionalised in the United States of America.

Finally, we went to the Annapolis Mall to do some shopping, teehee! Tired and spent, no doubt, but who among us can say no to shopping? ;) Tata! Here's to a wonderful visit to Annapolis, and may we have many more in the years to come!

Posted by Marina Tan

The Visit to the State Capitol by SEAYLP Fall 2010's Participants

Before we went to the State Capitol, we had already had some informations about it. We thought that we already known well about this building till we visited it, then only we realized that the State Capitol isn’t something you can know without seeing. Before we start our excursion, we were presented a short video clip about the State Capitol through the American history and the meaning of it. It was absolutely some kind of movie that will make you feel patriot from the deepest corner of your heart(even though we are not American at all).

After that, we had a chance to take a look at the room with the huge dome. Surround the room is 8 pictures describing the history of the process to make the United State of America (from the day Columbus found New World to the day Washington gained its independence for the country). But, the most special thing wasn’t just the 8 pictures that surround the room. When we look up, there is a picture of George Washington_ the first president of the USA with 13 ladies, which represent for the first 13 states of the nation.

Leaving the room, we get to another interesting one. A room which you can hear people whispers from another side. It was decorated by a lot of statues. These statues aren’t from just anybody. They are the statues of the most respected people from all over the states of USA. Each state have 2 statues of their dear children to show in 1 of the greatest building in the nation. Imagine how proud a person will feel when you come from somewhere in the country to the capital and see the statue of someone from your hometown. It’s just the feeling you can’t describe by words, and those people are us, the Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program Fall 2010’s participants.

Willy & Edward (8.34pm 11/19/10 - Washington D.C. Time Zone)

SEAYLP Fall 2010: one surprise after another

It is the last day of the SEAYLP fall 2010's program. A lot of things I want to say, a lot of feelings and emotions mix up before I leave US after more than three weeks staying and visiting various places. All of the places we have come to, all of the things we have done, all of the people we have met have surprised us, have left us, SEAYLP members, and myself in particular, an indescribable impression. The practical knowledge we have gained from the program will be useful tools for our lives and careers in the years to come, will be applied, in one way to another, to build a better world for everyone. It is the friendliness, the patience, the enthusiasm, the good organizational skills, the sense of humour, etc of the people working in SEAYLP and the ones I have met that I admire. The image of elderly volunteers working in museums welcoming and giving instructions to visitors impressed me deeply. Observing how people live and work, how they benefit in a modernly-equipped country has motivated me to set new goals in life for myself with the hope to partially contribute to our community.

Abraham Lincoln As A Leader

Lincoln’s Legacy

The Leader Who Made a Difference

Lincoln as a Leader

‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ These were the exact words Abraham Lincoln used to address the rampant issue of slavery while running for a place in the U.S. Senate. He lost that ‘battle’ but this lawyer strived on to win the ‘war’, becoming the 16^th President of the United States of America. A president revered and adored by the American people and the world.

            What had made Lincoln, a poor boy from the wilds of Kentucky, a struggling lawyer and a self-educated politician, stand out from the rest and help the nation survive its darkest hour, the Civil War?

Abraham Lincoln - 16th President of the United States of America

                                      

            Abraham Lincoln wanted to make a difference. He was an individual who wanted to make the nation a better place to live in. America was divided over slavery. Generally, the North fought for the abolishment of slavery while the South opposed the idea for economic reasons. Lincoln, one of the abolitionists, had voiced out his opinion publicly against slavery. He was an individual who wanted to make an impact, a difference and he was not that preoccupied about the people’s perceptions about him. He believed in himself and his vision for the country. This is the mark of a true leader.

            Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President when the nation was experiencing turmoil, the Civil War. The issue of slavery had reached the boiling point and erupted into a war, a catastrophe that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans and threatened to split the nation into two. Before the Civil War broke out, Lincoln had elected his rivals from the presidential election as his cabinet members. Lincoln’s exceptional leadership skills shone here. By doing so, Lincoln has assembled a cabinet membered by the best people in the country. ‘Team of Rivals’ is a brilliant example of Lincoln putting the nation’s interest above his own.

Team of Rivals

            The Civil War was having a devastating toll on Lincoln. He only wanted to achieve several goals. To end the war. To abolish slavery. To preserve the Union. Some of the ways of doing so included the Emancipation Proclamation which freed the slaves in the Union. Lincoln wanted to bring the war to an end so that the Union will be preserved and the nation will begin the healing process. One great example is Lincoln’s effort to restore ties with the South after the war ended in an attempt to make them feel part of the country again. Lincoln had asked for the Dixie song, which was the South’s favourite song, to be played as a way of restoring the ‘broken’ bridge between North and South. Great leaders never condemn the losing side. Instead, they will work on repairing relations and adopt a 'malice towards none' policy. Lincoln did this.

            Lincoln was also famous and respected by for his speeches. Always meaningful and with the nation’s interest above everything else, Lincoln’s speeches have inspired and motivated the nation throughout the tough times. The Gettysburg Address was one such speech. This speech, which remains one of the most powerful speeches in American history, was addressed by Lincoln at Gettysburg. With only 272 words, Lincoln had managed to motivate and bolster the army’s morality up. A leader has to be persuasive and inspire people or motivate when they are down. At the same time, they have to be concise and straight to th point. People adore leaders like that. Leaders like Abraham Lincoln.

The Gettysburg Address

           Abraham Lincoln. A leader. An icon. A national hero. Sadly, on April 14, 1865,  Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre. John Wilkes Booth fired at Lincoln's head from close range. The president passed away the following day. The nation was in shock. Everyone grieved for Lincoln. Even those who disagreed with him or was angry with him mourned. Flags were lowered to half-mast. Black cloth draped buildings. People across America wore badges of mourning pinned to their clothes. 12 funerals were held before Lincoln was put to rest in the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois. Memorials like the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C were erected. And to quote Secretary of War Stanton, ‘Now he belongs to the ages.’

Lincoln Memorial

            ‘A government of the people, by the people, for the people.’ Abraham Lincoln was truly an exceptional leader, adored by his supporters while at the same time, earning the respects from his rivals who had gone on to admire him and his leadership skills. He believed in the strength of the Union. He believed in America. He believed in the Declaration of Independence that stated, “All Men are created equal.” He was an individual who wanted to change the world for the better. An individual who wanted to make things happen! Truly, Abraham Lincoln, a leader who made a difference!