And no matter how many words are written about the figures of the Nixon White House or the personal conflicts of Watergate, they won't be understood without seeing the faces of the people.  Fred Maroon's photographs will complete that history in a way no one else could. This collection of Fred Maroon's work proves once again the enduring power of the still image, even in our video-saturated age.

His unique access, together with his extraordinary skill, provide a remembrance that historians will still study generations from now.  To any student of Watergate sorting through the record of that period, Fred Maroon's photographs are like gold ore, mingled with the pebbles and the dust.  This is an essential and integral part of that history that would not be available without him and his presence.

Watergate was a searing chapter of American history that, in many ways, shaped the politics and policies of the decades that followed. Watergate's personalities and Watergate's drama still touch a collective nerve in the American soul.  History will make final judgments about heroes and villains, but their presence will always be felt through these photographs.

Fred Maroon, the Smithsonian Institution and others who worked on this exhibit have offered an enduring gift to the nation.
 

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) is well-known for his photography and has been published in several  magazines and newspapers. He also does a fine job representing the citizens of Vermont in the United States Senate.