VOA常速英语2007年-Presidential History in Arkansas

By Wang Yiru
Little Rock, Arkansas
13 November 2007
 

U.S. Presidential Libraries are not typical libraries. They are archives and museums where a president's documents and artifacts are preserved for public study and discussion. The libraries are built with private funds and then operated by the National Archives. The newest addition is dedicated¹ to the 42nd president of the United States, Bill Clinton. For producer Wang Yiru, Elaine Lu has more on the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is not only the newest, but the largest containing over 75,000 artifacts, nearly two million photographs and some 76 million pages of documents.

One of the highlights for many visitors is on the second floor. A visitor of the library says, "The Oval Office -- I would never imagine that it would be here. I have always wanted to see what it looks like."

It is a full-scale replica² of the Oval Office, the only one in any presidential museum. Jordon Johnson, a library spokesman, says, "President Clinton, when he's here, he likes to walk around his library, sometimes to talk with the visitors here. The Oval is probably a favorite of his and the visitors because it's a true replica, exactly how he left it. I am sure it brings back a lot of memories for him."

Other exhibits also look back on the Clinton presidency³ including a 33-meter timeline chronicling the key foreign and domestic achievements during his eight years in the White House. The library also touches on the controversies⁴ that engulfed⁵ Mr. Clinton's second term, including the Monica Lewinsky scandal and the former president's impeachment⁶.

There is also a section dedicated to the former president's music.

A library visitor recalls, "I knew he played saxophones but I didn't know he has such an extensive collection of saxophones."

And another features many of the gifts the former president received during his presidency.

Another visitor says, "We thought those are really cool. We would like to have those items in our house."

The Clinton Presidential Library and Museum traces Mr. Clinton's childhood as well. Artifacts includes his report cards, his doodles and pictures of his life as a child growing up in Arkansas.

Situated⁷ on the banks of the Arkansas River the library's main section extends out over the river, a symbolic⁸ reminder⁹ of Mr. Clinton's campaign pledge of "building a bridge to the 21st century."

1 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

2 replica   

n.复制品

参考例句：

• The original conservatory has been rebuilt in replica.温室已按原样重建。
• The young artist made a replica of the famous painting.这位年轻的画家临摹了这幅著名的作品。

3 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

4 controversies   

争论

参考例句：

• We offer no comment on these controversies here. 对于这些争议，我们在这里不作任何评论。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史
• The controversies surrounding population growth are unlikely to subside soon. 围绕着人口增长问题的争论看来不会很快平息。 来自辞典例句

5 engulfed   

v.吞没，包住( engulf的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He was engulfed by a crowd of reporters. 他被一群记者团团围住。
• The little boat was engulfed by the waves. 小船被波浪吞没了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 impeachment   

n.弹劾；控告；怀疑

参考例句：

• Impeachment is considered a drastic measure in the United States.在美国，弹劾被视为一种非常激烈的措施。
• The verdict resulting from his impeachment destroyed his political career.他遭弹劾后得到的判决毁了他的政治生涯。

7 situated   

adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的

参考例句：

• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
• She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。

8 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

9 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。