The list of notable attendees will be released in September, but it has been announced that Michael Feinstein will perform Hope's signature song, "Thanks for the Memories," at the closing of the dedication ceremony.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg will issue a proclamation for the occasion and will be represented at the dedication by New York City Commissioner of Immigration Fatima Shama.
In addition to exhibits pertaining to comic actor and singer Hope's life and career, the Library's reading area "contains books, periodicals, contemporary and historical photographs, film and video productions, unpublished manuscripts, archival collections, oral history interviews and other research materials relating to the history of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, immigration history and the National Park Service," according to press notes.
Hope, born in England in 1903, immigrated to America with his family in 1907. Best known for his work in films (most notably the "Road" series with Bing Crosby) and television, and for his continual efforts to entertain U.S. troops in combat, he appeared on Broadway in the musicals Roberta, Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 and Red, Hot and Blue, among others. He died in 2003 at the age of 100.