For Immediate Release -
6/21/2007
Traditional Stone Carver Engraves Quote at Presidio's Immigrant Point Overlook
Hand-Engraved Passage Complements Stunning Ocean Views
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Presidio of San
Francisco (June 21, 2007) -- A stone mason is at work at
Presidio’s Immigrant Point Overlook, chiseling a Woodrow Wilson quote
into the stone with the Pacific Ocean as his backdrop. The overlook is
located on Washington Boulevard in the Presidio and the stone carver is
on site daily until June 29.
The quote reads: “We opened the
gates to all the world and said: ‘Let all men who want to be free come
to us and they will be welcome.’”
Immigrant Point was a gift to
Presidio visitors by the Sarlo Foundation of the Jewish Community
Endowment Fund and George Sarlo, a Hungarian immigrant and his wife
Sejong, who is originally from Korea. The overlook was named in honor of
the millions of immigrants for whom the Golden Gate symbolizes a new
beginning in a new land.
Since it opened in 2005, Immigrant Point
has served as the site of an annual naturalization ceremony for new
immigrants through a partnership with the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Service. The overlook is on the cliffs above the Pacific
Ocean and has stunning views of the ocean and the Headlands.
The
carving is being done by a local stone mason who is based in the East
Bay. He is at the site daily until June 29 and available for interviews
upon request.