Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Foundation
In 1982, Lee Iacocca was already a household name, a businessman who had proven himself as an entrepreneur before becoming a cultural icon. It was this spirit that President Ronald Reagan tapped to lead the newly-established Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission and Foundation. Intended to raise private funds for the restoration and preservation of the Statue of Liberty, the highly successful Foundation raised close to $500 million, while the Commission planned the restoration of the two historic sites.
The son of Italian immigrants, Iacocca embraced the opportunity to give something back to his country. The elements had taken their toll on the Statue of Liberty after 100 years standing in New York Harbor. Weather and pollution, as well as tourism, left the statue’s crown, torch and gown in need of restoration. Iacocca was honored to accept the President’s request to lead this private sector effort to raise funds for the restoration and preservation of both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Iacocca’s success lay in large part in his ability to motivate thousands of Americans to make donations of all sizes. As Iacocca has acknowledged, school children sent their allowances, and their grandparents who had immigrated through Ellis Island themselves sent donations of all sizes.
The restored Statue of Liberty was unveiled at a three-day gala event during July 4th weekend in 1986. With the Statue’s gala unveiling behind him, Iacocca was able to turn the Foundation’s attention to the restoration of Ellis Island. The immigration station closed its doors in 1954, and stood vacant and deteriorating until fundraising efforts for its restoration were initiated. Rallied by Iacocca, citizens of the world responded, enabling the Island to reopen as a museum of immigration two years ahead of schedule in 1990.
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission
From 1982 until 1986, Lee Iacocca had served simultaneously on both the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission. It was in February of 1986, after four years and extensive contributions to the efforts to restore these historic and symbolic landmarks, that Iacocca was informed by then Secretary of the Interior Donald Hodel that his services were no longer needed on the Centennial Commission. Hodel cited the potential perception of a conflict of interest, as the Foundation operated as the fund-raising arms of the Commission. Iacocca opens his 1986 book Talking Straight with an account of how he “got fired. Again.”
Family Heritage Awards, Ellis Island, New York,
New York. Wednesday, April 13, 2011. [Facsimile]
On April 13, 2011 The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation honored its Founding Chairman Lee Iacocca and others at the Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards for their major contributions to the American experience. Iacocca's parents came to America from Italy, passing through the Ellis Island immigration station.
Iacocca said that despite many challenges, he lived the American dream, with a” pretty great job.” As his friend Bob Hope would say, “Thanks for the Memories.”
Lee A. Iacocca. Liberty Weekend, New York, New York.
July 3-6, 1986. [Facsimile]
The restored Statue of Liberty was unveiled at a three-day gala event during July 4th weekend in 1986. Involved in the planning, Iacocca secured commitments from celebrities ranging from Frank Sinatra to Willie Nelson to Liza Minnelli at the event attended by President Reagan and President François Mitterand of France.
Richard Seth Hayden. Restoring the Statue of Liberty.
New York: McGraw-Hill, c1986.
This image shows the magnitude of the restoration work undertaken thanks to the fund-raising efforts led by Lee Iacocca.
Lee A. Iacocca. Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Commission, New York, New York. June 19, 1982.
This inspirational speech was made to the newly appointed members of the Centennial Commission: “Today, when we see that statue, we should look upon it the way our parents and grandparents did when they first passed it on their way to Ellis Island. Each and every immigrant, including my parents, saw the Statue as a fresh symbol of liberty in a young land of opportunity.”
This binder contains ephemera including a Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island flyer; The New York Announcement of the Statue of Liberty; and a time table for the ceremony.
Lee A. Iacocca. White House Ceremony [regarding appointment to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission], Washington, D.C. May 18, 1982.
In May 1982, Lee Iacocca was officially appointed Chairman of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission by James Watt, Secretary of the Interior, at a ceremony that took place at the White House. For Lee Iacocca, the story of Ellis Island was a personal one, as his parents entered America through New York Harbor.