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BY TIM EIGO

1912 2012

Celebrating The Rock of Ages Centennial

hris Bliss doesn’t have anything personal against cupcakes. But he can get pretty riled up about a national day dedicated to the paper-wrapped confections. On a recent December 15, Bliss eagerly awaited the morning C news, hoping to see some coverage of a day that should be cen- tral to our nation’s history—Bill of Rights Day, which honors an American founding document. To his eternal chagrin, the coverage went a more sugary path. Morning anchor after morning anchor smirked at the fact that the date recognized National Cupcake Day. Frosting and sprinkles got their coverage, while Americans’ essential rights went unmentioned. That is something Bliss would like to change. And as the executive director of MyBillofRights.org, he is starting that national movement right here in Arizona. If Bliss is successful, in Arizona’s Centennial year, the state will be the first to install a monument to one of our nation’s most cherished documents. And a fundraiser on its behalf will allow the Grand Canyon State to laugh along the way.

Founding Document Adding a Bill of Rights was the last Most Americans know that the Bill of Rights major element to emerge from the is comprised of the first 10 amendments to debate between the Federalists and the the United States Constitution. Those Anti-Federalists when the new amendments delineate some of the most val- Constitution was proposed in 1787. Its ued rights, such as speech, religion, arms and inclusion proved essential in winning freedom from unreasonable searches or enough support from both sides to guar- excessive bail. antee that the Constitution itself would What many people forget—and what be ratified. Bliss hopes to convey—is that the Bill of Rights was not simply an afterthought, a Bliss reminds listeners that the Bill of Rights series of technical corrections that the completed the framework started by the Founders had missed. 1776 Declaration of Independence. Their Instead, the first 10 amendments were combined ratification “formalized the new negotiated and discussed by the Founders as government, securing once and for all the they drafted the Constitution. They were nationhood of the United States.” demanded by many, even as others preferred not to have them in the Constitution itself. Monument’s Bedfellows But without the promise of a Bill of Rights, It is those historic amendments that Bliss the Constitution’s advocates never would wants to commemorate in every state capi- have marshaled the votes for passage. tol in the country. A comedian by trade, he It was ratified on December 15, 1791, takes seriously all the elements required to when Virginia became the 11th state to get 10 monoliths erected in Phoenix. approve the amendments. (Correspondents who mistakenly call the Bliss gets pretty fiery when talking about limestone blocks a “memorial” are gently those amendments: reminded by Bliss that it will be a “monu-

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the political divide; they included judges, lawyers, State Bar of Arizona President Joe Kanefield and former Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. And as the advocates chatted about the con- cert, others who were attending a separate event at the restaurant began to stop by. They were taking part in their own celebration on the patio for a newly appointed Arizona Regent—who had been confirmed through a process marked by politi- cal contention. Viewing the Bill of Rights poster, however, many in the Regent’s party sidled over to discuss the topic and offer their support. Attendees thought: Bliss and his committee may just be on to some- thing. The state ultimately agreed, Artist’s rendering of Bill of Rights Monument, when the Arizona Historical Wesley Bolin Plaza, Phoenix Advisory Commission designated the effort a Centennial Legacy Project in February. ment,” because “The Bill of Rights are not to the beginning of the effort, Bliss says, dead.”) when he was buttonholing Arizona legisla- Comedy Festival In the endeavor, he has had countless tors about it. What he sought was bipartisan Getting the limestone monuments planted meetings with legislators, lawyers, contrac- approval for siting it prominently near the in the ground is a pretty economical affair, tors and other stakeholders. All have Capitol. Ultimately, then-Rep. Kyrsten organizers say. From conception to dedica- embraced the project—at first tentatively Sinema and current Sen. Karen Johnson tion, the project will require $400,000. and then enthusiastically. Some have been came together to champion the idea to their Helping them on that path is the moved by Bliss’s notion that the Bill of fellow lawmakers. Ultimately, all the legisla- Newman’s Own Foundation, the late actor Rights needs to be remembered and taught tors concurred in the idea—a rare event in Paul Newman’s charitable organization. In to coming generations. Others have been any state capitol. It was approved for a prime 2011, it provided $50,000 to get the pleased at the prospect that no public spot on Wesley Bolin Plaza. nationwide project up and running. In what monies will go toward the venture. And all Today, that partnership continues to be a Bliss says is a very positive sign, the organi- are intrigued at the possibility of celebrating hallmark of the endeavor. In fact, it is a cen- zation encouraged the Bill of Rights project a document that safeguards many liberties; tral part of Bliss’s organization in every state to apply again in 2012 for $45,000 to help advocates who seek to safeguard free speech, in which they work. it toward completion. But they still need or freedom from government searches, or In late February, Bliss invited the execu- donations from individuals, corporations the right to bear arms—all may align with a tive fundraising committee, led by Doug and law firms. (MyBillofRights.org is a non- Bill of Rights project. Pruitt of Sundt Construction, and other profit 501(c)(3) and an all-volunteer organ- Bliss says, “These kinds of legacy projects select guests to a special event at Tom’s ization, Bliss says; he is not paid a salary.) are extremely rare. Your kids will take their Tavern in downtown Phoenix. There, he “I mean: $400,000!” exclaims Bliss. kids to see the monument.” And among all and concert promoter Danny Zelisko “For something that’s going to last over 100 the states that will have such a landmark, announced the lineup for a comedy fundrais- years, made by one of the world’s top stone Bliss adds, “There’s only one first state.” er to benefit the monument. artists. It’s unbelievably inexpensive.” The project’s diverse support goes back Attendees and the committee bridged For context, Bliss says the amount is 20

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Celebrating The Centennial

Monument supporters: Sen. Karen Johnson and then-Rep. Kyrsten Sinema with Chris Bliss.

That addition demonstrates some of the good luck this project has seen. Back in 2006, Bliss was looking for a carver who could Comedy Festival press conference, Phoenix Symphony Hall, March 9, 2012. develop an idea for a monu- L to R: Chris Bliss, Danny Zelisko, David Bodney, Grant Woods. ment. But Googling “stone mason” yielded very little. “I was calling people that percent less than another Arizona project— Rolling the Stones made mausoleums for a living,” says Bliss. creating and sending a statue of Barry The monument may take a comedy concert “And you know what their question was? Goldwater to the U.S. Capitol. And he to get installed, but their ingredients have ‘How many letters is it, cuz we charge by the repeats—to everyone he meets—that this taken a millennium to coalesce. The result of letter.’” project will spend no taxpayer money. literally geologic time, the 10 limestone That was not the approach of Kincannon On May 13, though, he hopes taxpayers plinths were excavated from a Texas quarry. Studios. When Bliss contacted them, he and others will jam Phoenix Symphony (For those who will inevitably wonder, knew he was onto something. Hall’s 2,300 seats. There, a noteworthy line- Bliss admits that there is limestone in Hearing Bliss’s vision, Joseph Kincannon up of comedians will perform in an effort to Arizona. However, he says that it is often replied, “My wife and I have been sitting in raise the funds. He worked with event expert dynamited out, resulting in too- Danny Zelisko to develop the comedy small blocks. Instead, what they evening. got from Texas were 10 single-saw- What Lawyers Can Do Comedians slated to appear will be Lewis cut blocks that were 8 to 10 feet BUY Comedy Festival tickets: Black, Bill Engvall, Bobcat Goldthwait, Dick long.) http://tinyurl.com/ce5ewtw Gregory, Kathleen Madigan, Tommy In February, that stone—10 DONATE (even to your own favorite amendment): Smothers and Steven Wright. Musical guests blocks weighing 44,000 pounds— http://mybillofrights.org/category/arizona/ from the band will be Paul was delivered to a sculptor’s studio Barrere and Fred Tackett. According to in Austin. Each block will be indi- GET MORE INFORMATION: organizers, the performers are all volunteer- vidually sculpted, resulting in a set http://mybillofrights.org/ ing their talents; all receipts will go to the of 10 distinct shapes, each featuring monument costs. the full text of one amendment Bliss says that individual ticket prices are sandblasted deeply into the surface reasonable (between $53 and $98, available facing the viewer. at http://tinyurl.com/ce5ewtw) and well The studio belongs to Joseph worth the comedy talent that will be on dis- Kincannon, who previously had play. But he and Zelisko urge those interest- spent 15 years at the Cathedral of ed in a “Hall of Fame comedy experience” Saint John the Divine in New York to consider purchasing special VIP seating, and had served as its lead carver. As called the Founders Circle and Presidents one of the nation’s leading stone Danny Zelisko Circle. (More detail on the concert is at artisans, Kincannon is a remarkable announces comedy lineup, http://mybillofrights.org/concert/) addition to this project, Bliss says. Feb. 29, 2012.

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Celebrating The Centennial

our studio for the that may unite diverse viewpoints. manner.” last six weeks, saying we need to put up “Whether we be Democrats or He also cites unity as a probable out- something about freedom at the Texas State Republicans, Independents or otherwise, come. Capitol.” the Bill of Rights Monument serves as a “It’s nice knowing that despite our dif- “I got chills,” says Bliss. “I couldn’t reminder of our country’s historic struggle ferences, there are some issues that will believe I found these guys.” against tyranny—and the triumph of human always bring us together. Protecting, pre- Every state’s monument will be unique rights.” serving and defending our Constitution and and site-specific, Bliss says. Like Arizona’s Committee chair Doug Pruitt also is the Bill of Rights is one of them.” monument, Texas’s is fully approved. chair of Sundt Construction, which will con- Kanefield and others all point to funding However, because it will be a Texas-sized re- struct the monument site and install the as the biggest challenge. But “I’m confident visioning of the entire plaza in front of the stone. He says Arizona should be proud to it will all come together, and we’ll have the state Supreme Court—which comes with a be first in this effort. funding needed to build this spectacular $4 million price tag—Arizona’s is slated to “I was surprised that the Bill of Rights monument.” be dedicated first. had not been memorialized elsewhere. Once installed, Arizona’s version will When you think of the importance of this Juggling Many Tasks have no on-site recognition of donors document on the history of this country, it’s Chris Bliss is in a whirlwind of activity lead- (though they will be thanked online). As difficult to believe that it hasn’t or doesn’t ing up to the May 13 comedy concert. But Bliss says, “The Bill of Rights is America’s receive greater recognition.” that’s a spotlight he’s familiar with. logo; we’re not going to logo it.” He continues, “I think it would be great A comedian himself, he may be most He seeks donations from individuals and for Arizona to be the first state to create such famous for a jaw-dropping display of jug- business entities. In an gling talent that has intriguing effort, those who wowed audiences—and donate may designate their become a Youtube sensa- contributions to go toward tion. the monolith of their “On paper it looks choice, depending on which kind of very strange,” amendment is their favorite. Bliss chuckles. “You know: juggler, comedian, Lawyers, monument builder. But Others Stand Up I’m the son of a lawyer Arizona’s legal community who grew up in has joined the monument Washington DC, the city effort. of monuments. And as a David Bodney serves on kid, nothing except natu- the Executive Fundraising ral wonders has the kind Committee, and he didn’t of grab on the human hesitate when Bliss asked imagination that monu- him to participate. mental architecture “The Bill of Rights does.” Monument is an important initiative,” says a monument. We have had our reputation The humor of the situation is not lost on the Steptoe & Johnson partner. “It pro- tarnished a lot in recent years, and this the comedian. motes public awareness of the steps our would be a great expression of what is truly “If my dad was still around, he’d proba- founders took to protect the rights of important to Arizonans and that we are bet- bly be laughing, because I quit college to man. Those steps are not merely historic, ter than the perception that many have of avoid becoming a lawyer. I was on a straight but living imprints of the liberties we - us.” path into his law firm, and I thought, ‘How ish, but must labor to preserve.” State Bar President Joe Kanefield also is a do I blow this up?’ So I quit college to jug- At a Symphony Hall press conference in committee member, and he agrees this state gle at rock concerts.” March, lawyer and committee member is an appropriate site to be first. “Now, I’m spending all my time building Grant Woods echoed that notion. “Arizona has been at the center of many monuments to one of the great legal docu- “We should be doing positive things in important cases involving the interpretation ments in human history.” this state, and we should be leading the and meaning of several of the Bill of Rights. With the help of Arizona’s lawyers, Bliss nation. This would be a great way to end our I’ve been involved in a few myself. Given our hopes to knock National Cupcake Day out Centennial year.” history, it’s only fitting that Arizona be the of its lofty perch. And that, Bliss thinks, AZ Bodney views the project as something first State to honor the Bill of Rights in this would make the Founders smile. AT

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