I'm Dr. Howard Haller

In 1865, after the Civil War ended, Jefferson Davis was arrested and charged with treason. He spent two years in prison before being released on bail. In 1868, he was indicted for treason and stripped of his citizenship.

So, in 1966, I started what would become a 10+ year journey to restore Jefferson Davis's citizenship.

After many phone calls and meetings, President Carter finally signed a bill granting Davis posthumous citizenship in 1978.

It was one of most exciting and fulfilling days of my life! I remember that day as if it were yesterday.

Why I Did This

One day, my grandmother, Lucy White Hayes Young, who I called "Granny", came to visit us, which she did yearly. During a discussion we had, she revealed that my great-great grandfather, Jefferson Davis, was offered his citizenship and his senate seat back.

If...

He admitted he had done something wrong.

He refused.

I began reading books about the life of Jefferson Davis. To me, it seemed a travesty that after dedicating his life to the United States in the army and in congress that his citizenship should not be restored.

So, I called Granny and asked if I could start the process of restoring Jefferson's citizenship. She told me, "As long as you never have to admit that he did anything wrong, then yes."

So, I started on what would become an over 10-year journey of having Jefferson Davis's citizenship restored.