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Annual Millard Fillmore Commemoration at Forest Lawn

By Eileen Buckley

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-813742.mp3

Buffalo, NY – The icy weather did not prevent UB from holding its annual Millard Fillmore Commemoration event at Forest Lawn in Buffalo Wednesday morning.

It has been a long-standing winter tradition by the University to celebrate Fillmore's birthday. Fillmore was UB's first chancellor and the 13th President of the United States. January 7th marks his actual birth date in 1800.

Members of the UB community and other invited guests gathered at his grave site at Forest Lawn. Large wreaths were placed at Fillmore's monument including a wreath delivered by the U.S, Military from President Bush. Willie Evans, former UB Alumni Association president, was among today's speakers. Evans spoke of Fillmore as a U.S. President and a Buffaloian.

Evans was recently thrown into the national spot light as a former member of the UB's football team. 50years ago the Bulls rejected a chance to play in the bowl game when it learned two of its African-American players would to be allowed to play in Florida due to segregation laws. Evans was one of those players.

Click the audio player above to hear Evan's now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.