The following information was forwarded to the Round Table by Dr. Michael Brown on January 29, 2007:

2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert E. Lee, one of America's most revered individuals. But opinions are changing in this era of Political Correctness. Was Lee a hero whose valor and leadership were surpassed only by his honor and humanity? Or was he a traitor whose military skill served a bad cause and prolonged an immoral rebellion against his rightful government?

The Stephen D. Lee Institute will explore these questions and Lee's incomparable legacy in a Bicentennial Symposium on Saturday, April 28, 2007, in Arlington, Virginia, where Lee lived until he departed to join the Confederacy and later took command of the famed Army of Northern Virginia, never to return.

To many, Robert E. Lee is a remote figure, a marble icon. To others he was simply a great battlefield commander. But Lee was much more; his character shines brightly from the past, illuminating the present. The Symposium will cover Lee's views on government and liberty, his humane attitudes toward race and slavery, Lee and the American Union, Lee as inspired commander and his relationship with the Army, Lee as a Christian gentleman, and the meaning of Lee for today.

The Stephen Dill Lee Institute was established by the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 2005 as a forum for historical scholarship in defense of the cause for which the Confederate Soldier fought. The April 28 Robert E. Lee Bicentennial Symposium will be the premiere event in memory of this greatest of Americans. The stellar lineup of speakers includes ----

Thomas Dilorenzo - author of The Real Lincoln and Lincoln Unmasked
Kent Masterson Brown - author of Retreat From Gettysburg and The Civil War in Kentucky
John J. Dwyer - author of The War Between the States: America's Uncivil War and R. E. LEE
Clyde Wilson - Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the University of South Carolina and
         Dean of the SD Lee Institute
Donald Livingston - Professor of Philosophy at Emory University and President of
         The Abbeville Institute.
Tom Moore - Author of Hunt for Confederate Gold

In addition to the above speakers, the organizers of the program are negotiating for a nationally recognized special banquet speaker whose name will be identified shortly.

The cost for registration for the seminar will be $150. There will be an SCV member rate of $125 until February 28.

The costs for hotel rooms are $126 per night. There is a limited block of rooms set aside for the conference, so register as early as possible to insure room availability at the Marriott.

The Symposium will be held at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA. The Marriott is conveniently located nearby Lee sites such as the Arlington House and Alexandria, Virginia. It is within 5 minutes of Reagan National Airport and directly across the Potomac River from Georgetown. A METRO station is across the street from the hotel for quick and easy travel to the entire Washington DC area. Late April offers beautiful weather in the Washington area so spouses are encouraged to come with all registrants. Space is limited, so register early to ensure a seat.

There will be only one national Lee Bicentennial event of this stature. We expect attendees from all over the USA and even from abroad. Don't miss it. Make your plans to attend now.

Registration information for this event can be found at www.scv.org. TO OBTAIN A MARRIOTT HOTEL RESERVATION---- Call 1-800-228-9290 OR RESERVE ONLINE VIA THIS LINK

MARK APRIL 28, 2007 ON YOUR CALENDAR AND MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND. ANYONE HAVING QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SEMINAR MAY CONTACT BRAG BOWLING AT 804-389-3620.