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HomeCelebrate Benjamin Franklin's Birthday, January 16, 2009
Celebration! Benjamin Franklin, Founder has been established to bring national and international attention to Benjamin Franklin, America's best known historic figure. Franklin's ideas, ideals and accomplishments are important to this day and his influence on our times merits an annual focus on him led by the organizations he founded or inspired and the citizenry of Philadelphia whom he befriended. Each annual Celebration brings world statesmen, scientists, scholars and thinkers to address themes exemplified by Franklin's ideas and life.
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Franklin's Legacy: Achievements After Retirement
Franklin's birthday is honored each year with a themed program related to different facets of his many lifelong interests. The day includes a seminar, public procession and ceremony at Franklin's grave followed by a luncheon with guest speakers and honorees.
Honoree P. Roy Vagelos
and Dr. Franklin
Many of Benjamin Franklin's greatest achievements occurred after his retirement from his professed career, printing, at the age of 46. Having built the capital he needed to devote his time and talents to specific interests, he reveled in the opportunity to pursue his scientific experiments, to serve as Governor of Pennsylvania, to work for the interests of the colonies in London, to craft the founding documents of a new nation, compromises amongst his fellow Americans and treaties amongst foreign nations. All this accomplished as he also dabbled with wine, music and friends, the rewards of a successful life.
This year's birthday celebration, which pays tribute to Dr. Franklin, explores the ways in which contemporary Americans are choosing to spend their retirement in ways which enhance local, national and global interests.
Program
Retiree Choices Yield Global Benefits
Introduction by Dr. P. Roy Vagelos
Retired Chairman and CEO, Merck & Co. Inc.
The Global Challenge of HIV
John C. Pottage, Jr., M.D., Senior Vice President, Infectious Diseases Medicine Development Center, GlaxoSmithKline
Fighting River Blindness: MECTIZAN and the Power of Partnerships
Kenneth C. Frazier Executive Vice President and President, Global Human Health Merck & Co., Inc.
The Joy of Not Retiring
John C. Bogle
Founder, Vanguard
Join other participants who will march with their emblems and flags from The American Philosophical Society's Library Hall to Christ Church Burial Ground, corner of 5th and Arch Streets, where a wreath will be laid on Franklin's grave and tributes to Benjamin Franklin will be offered.
Down Town Club
6th & Chestnut Streets, Public Ledger Building, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Donald U. Smith, Chairman of Celebration! of Benjamin Franklin, Founder
"Disease Prevention — A Strategy Benjamin Franklin Would Support"
Dr. P. Roy Vagelos will share some of his insights on his international work to alleviate to diseases in developing countries in the keynote address.
The Franklin Celebration is pleased to recognize P. Roy Vagelos, M.D. as an outstanding humanitarian who has followed Franklin's example of giving back to his community far more than he has received with actions that positively impact our world.
Presentation of the Franklin Founder Bowl to P. Roy Vagelos
B. Franklin Reinauer, II
Wit and Wisdom
Benjamin Franklin
