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It’s worth remembering that it was Jacquie Kennedy who provided crucial support for the mammoth rescue project. Without her help, Abu Simbel might have been lost. No one questioned that the temple must be saved. UNESCO developed a marvelous plan to cut the huge monument into 1,423 stone blocks and move it 200 meters (219 yards) north and 63 meters (207 feet) higher, just above the estimated level of Lake Nasser, the vast inland sea that would be created by the new dam. But
who would pay? As a developing country, Egypt could not shoulder the
burden alone. Other countries could contribute, but only one country--the
United States of America--truly had the resources for this No matter how much wealth there is, it is never enough. Many legitimate, worthwhile projects compete for funds. What Abu Simbel needed was an advocate, someone who recognized the temple for the irreplaceable world art treasure that it was. First
Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, already famous for her grace, refinement, and
sensitivity to the arts, saw the need to work for the salvation of Abu
Simbel. It was she who urged Congress to allocate $10 million for the
rescue effort (a sum roughly equivalent to $100 million today). It was
an enormous amount of money, but she saw that America The rescue funds were approved by Congress and the temple was saved. In
appreciation for her efforts, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser
presented the First Lady and the president with a 4000-year-old Egyptian
statue (which is now preserved in the John F Kennedy Library & President
Nasser wanted also to give a gift of thanks to the people of the United
States for their valuable support. He asked Mrs Kennedy to choose an
appropriate monument. She suggested the small Temple of Times change, leaders come and go, but some acts of support and generosity are remembered through the decades. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy loved Egypt, and Egypt still loves her.
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