WILLIAM CLARK
INDUCTED INTO VIRGINIA LEGENDS WALK
36TH Inductee Joins Partner Who Explored America

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -William Clark has been honored by the Commonwealth's Virginia Legends Walk as the Class of 2010. As the 36th inductee since the Walk began in 1999, Clark joins Meriwether Lewis, who co-headed the team from 1803-05 that was the first overland expedition undertaken by the United States to the Pacific Ocean. Clark finished seventh in voting in 2009.

Clark was born in Caroline County, Virginia in 1770.

Along with Lewis, Clark led the "voyage of discovery" ordered by President Thomas Jefferson to explore routes across America's new territories of the Louisiana Purchase. In addition to sharing command, Clark also had record-keeping duties. Especially important were the maps he created for the party's route. After Lewis's death, Clark became responsible for publication of the expedition's journals.

From 1822 until his death he held the position Superintendant of Indian Affairs.

Clark was among 46 eligible Virginians qualified this year for Virginia Legends Walk. Hundreds of nominations from around the world were submitted. Ballots were sent to a statewide network of almost 500 judges, including college and university presidents, heads of historical societies and museums, history professors, librarians and news media representatives.

All voting went directly to the auditing firm of KPMG, Virginia Beach, for independent tally.
Clark received 50.5 percent of the total votes for candidates. Induction requires that nominees receive votes on more than 50 percent of all ballots returned.

The Top Five runners-up in this year's election included bluegrass music legend Dr. Ralph Stanley, antislavery champion Nat Turner and Triple-Crown winner Secretariat (45.2 percent); father of modern oceanography Matthew Fontaine Maury (44.1 percent) and country music legends The Statler Brothers (41.9 percent).

Rounding out the Top Ten were antislavery champion Dred Scott (39.8 percent), media visionary and philanthropist Frank Batten, Revolutionary War officer Light Horse Harry Lee (each 37.6 percent), Academy Award winning actor George C. Scott, first African-American woman bank president Maggie Walker, and early colonist John Rolfe (each 34.4 percent).

Virginia Beach officials estimate that millions of resort visitors and area residents have toured Virginia Legends Walk since its introduction. The Walk was created as a permanent living monument to honor great Virginians and is located one block from the Virginia Beach oceanfront at 13th Street.

Virginia Legends Walk has eight U.S. Presidents (from George Washington to Woodrow Wilson), five celebrated generals, nine internationally known musicians, and other key historical figures from the Commonwealth.

A complete list and bios of those honored can be found online at www.va-legends.com.Nominations are now being accepted for the 2011 candidates by completing the online application (also at www.va-legends.com) or by calling 800.333.6397.

Virginia Legends Walk honors Virginians by birth or residence, who have made significant contributions to the nation and the world.