What a wonderful experience it was today to be introduced to a distant member of the family, by marriage, to a young lady who is an elementary school teacher. And just by chance, she teaches American History!

As I presented her with a copy of my book, she asked me how I came to write it. I got to tell her my story. What fun for me!

After I had graduated from law school, I was invited personally by the mayor of the City of Phoenix to become a member of the Phoenix Citizen’s Crime Commission. There used to be a chapter of such a commission in every major city in the United States—but that’s another story.

Then in 1976, yes our Bicentennial year, I was voted to be the one to represent the Phoenix chapter at the Annual Convention of Citizen’s Crime Commissions. It was to be held in the City of Philadelphia. I was thrilled.

I went to the meeting during the day, and then in early evening we were all allowed to visit the many places of American history in that city. I went to the Benjamin Franklin Museum, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House and other notable places.

Then I was drawn to the Graff House. This was a 2 story brick house built by Jacob Graff, a carpenter, on the outskirts of town in those days. That meant it was only a few blocks from Independence Hall. That was where Thomas Jefferson rented the two upstairs suites to stay while he was in Philly for the Continental Congress in 1776—200 years before.

At that time, Tom was a young lawyer. I was a young lawyer on this visit. Tom was assigned by the committee to prepare a draft of a Declaration of Independence, should one be needed by Congress. He took that assignment seriously. He drafted that immortal document in that suite in a period of 17 days—and all without the use of any reference materials, no books or pamphlets.

Such an accomplishment staggered me! I couldn’t imagine writing such a masterpiece with no background materials. Only his training and experience, and inspiration allowed such a young man to write such a sublime document, which has had an enduring effect on the United States, and the world.

That started me on my study of the life of Thomas Jefferson, which, of course, led to the study of the lives of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Patrick Henry, John Adams and James Madison. His close friends. And so my story began! And it’s not over yet!