Christchurch Commemoration in Washington, DC

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There was hardly a dry eye in the auditorium, as NZ Ambassador Mike Moore presented the first US showing of the movie "When a City Falls." The Embassy and the US-NZ Council sponsored an evening of commemoration for the city, and for the 185 who died in the February earthquake - the biggest in a series of thousands of smaller shakes.

The movie had professional, dramatic footage of the quakes, the destruction, and the aftermath. It showed the resilience, the humour and generosity, and the ingenuity of the NZ people. In the words of one survivor, the aftermath showed the "creative anarchy" of the people.

Many of the guests were in Christchuch during the quake. The Americans were taking part in meetings of the US-NZ Council. All have developed a special bond of friendship. The shaking also unnerved many in the Washington DC area - we received our own earthquake in August, which caused destruction to the National Cathedral and the Washington Monument. It is hoped the documentary will enjoy wide distribution in the US and around the world. It sounds like a natural for Public Television and the Sundance Film Festival.

Prior to the movie, there was a wonderful reception and remarks Ambassador Mike Moore thanked the Americans for their generous donations. One of the first checks came from the US Marines. He said there will be "an American footprint" in Christchurch for generations to come.

Attorney Peter Watson should take credit for most of the donations. He said 5 million dollars has come from the US so far, and 2.7 million dollars more is pledged. Fund raising efforts continue.

Timothy Manning of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said they learned "resilience and courage" from New Zealand.

William Maroni, the new President of the US - NZ Council, announced a special new internship program. They will finance interns from NZ, who spend 6 to 8 weeks working in a US Congressional office. Lawmakers who were in Christchurch last February are especially supportive of the program. The first two interns are from the Canterbury University Law Faculty.

Christchurch may be far from the United States in distance, but it is especially close at this time.