Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/99748
committees of the Congress, the Library of Congress, the Architect of the Capitol, and the relevant departments and agencies of the executive branch of the Federal Government. " The Society had been cooperating with these congressional and executive offices over the years. The charter merely codified an existing relationship. Much of the responsibility for consulting with congressional committees and the Architect of the Capitol rested upon the executive secretary, who coordinated the production of new editions of the We, the People guidebook and the annual We, the People calendar. The Society's executive secretary since 1974 had been Oliver Patton, a retired Army general. Gen. Patton retired from the Society in early 1979 to concentrate upon his literary career. Cornelius W. Heine was appointed executive secretary in the fall of 1979, following a distinguished career in the National Park Service, where he had directed the historical research project that led to the restoration of Ford's Theatre. In addition, Heine had served for eight years as a vice-president of the Columbia Historical Society [now known as the Historical Society of Washington, D.C.], and for four years he was editor of their annual records. He had also been present at the organizational meeting of the USCHS on July 31, 1962 as a founding member. As executive secretary from 1979 until his retirement in 1994, Heine excelled in a public relations role, giving tours of the Capitol and coordinating the production of an educational video, "A Place of Resounding Deeds." Following the resignation of Historian and Editor William Maury early in 1981, Dr. Richard Striner became acting head of the History Department. As chief historian from 1981 through 1987, Striner supervised the production of five major projects—the completely rewritten and redesigned second edition of Washington Past and Present which he coauthored, a WINTER 2013 President Schwengel congratulated Society Chief Historian Richard Striner and Associate Historian Donald Kennon upon receipt of awards in 1984 from Freedom's Foundation for authoring Washington Past and Present. COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL PROGRAM The Society's Congressional Charter authorized the issuance of commemorative medals. The first in the series was issued in 1978 commemorating both the bicentennial of Valley Forge and the adoption of the United States Flag. The medal was designed by Frank Gasparro, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, and it was offered in gold, silver, and bronze. Fourteen medals comprised the entire series: 1978: Valley Forge Commemorative Medal 1979: John Paul Jones Commemorative Medal 1980: James Madison Commemorative Medal 1981: Surrender of Cornwallis Commemorative Medal 1982: George Washington Commemorative Medal 1983: Treaty of Paris Commemorative Medal 1984: 350th Anniversary of Maryland Commemorative Medal 1985: Women of the American Revolution Commemorative Medal 1986: Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Medal 1987: Signing of the Constitution Commemorative Medal 1988: Ratification of the Constitution Commemorative Medal 1989: Bicentennial of the United States Congress Commemorative Medal 1990: The Judicial System of the United States Commemorative Medal 1991: The Bill of Rights Commemorative Medal Informative historical booklets were included with each medal to enhance the item's educational value to collectors. THE CAPITOL DOME 35