Senate Welcomes Documentary Filmmaker Ken Burns

Ken Burns, director and producer of documentary films including “The Civil War” and “The West”, was welcomed to the Senate Chamber on Thursday.

Burns was introduced to the Senate before visiting the Oklahoma History Center as a guest of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA).

Sen. Andrew Rice authored Senate Resolution 16 to welcome Burns to the Oklahoma State Capitol. The resolution designates March 15, 2007, as “Ken Burns Appreciation Day”.

Rice commended Burns for his efforts to bring American history to life through film.

“Ken Burns has profiled some of the most important moments in American history and has provided us with new perspectives and an important look into the defining moments in our past,” said Rice, D-Oklahoma City. “He is certainly one of the most gifted filmmakers of our generation and I wish him success in his future endeavors.”

Burns’ documentary “The Civil War” has been honored with 40 major film and television awards, including two Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards. Two of Burns’ films have been nominated for Academy Awards. His current documentary, “The War”, is a seven-part series on the Second World War, which will begin airing in September of this year. His next project will be a documentary profiling the history of our national parks.