[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 124 (Thursday, August 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       IN MEMORY OF ALLAN HOUSER

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to mourn the passing of a 
world renowned American Indian artist, Mr. Allan Houser, a Chiricahua 
Apache.
  Mr. Houser, who had been fighting cancer since the fall of last year, 
passed away at his home in Santa, Fe, NM on August 22, 1994.
  Allan Houser--Haozous--pronounced ha-oo-zohs, which means ``the sound 
of pulling roots'' and refers to the Apache practice of returning 
thanks to the Earth whenever they took something from it, had earned 
world-acclaim for his bronze, stone and steel sculptures depicting 
native Americans. He was critically acknowledged as the ``patriarch of 
American Indian sculptors.''
  The 80-year-old Chiricahua Apache's art serves as a link between 
Indian culture and modern American life. His images in stone, steel and 
bronze communicate on many levels the immutable emotions of family 
love, dignity and the will to endure. The sources of Allen Houser's 
images came from the stories, songs and myths his father told and sang 
about when Allan was a child.
  Allan Houser's father was a member of the Chiricahua Apache band 
which surrendered with Geronimo in 1886. After their surrender, the 
Apaches were imprisoned for 27 years. Upon their release, Allan was 
born in 1914 ln a small farm outside of Fort Sill, OK. He was the first 
Chiricahua Apache child born in freedom.
  Allan moved to Santa Fe, NM, in the 1930's where he received formal 
training in drawing and painting. He was self-taught as a sculptor.
  From the small farm in Oklahoma, to Los Angeles where from 1941-47 he 
labored in construction work by day and created his art by night, to 
the classrooms of the Institute for American Indian Arts where he 
taught from 1962-75, to the great museums of the world, Allan Houser 
steadfastly remained true to this art, true to his people, and, above 
all, true to himself. His work enriches our lives and brings us closer 
together as we marveled at and bask in the light that his creative 
genius bestows on the world.
  In a career that has spanned more than six decades, Allan Houser has 
earned the highest possible awards and honors. In 1992, Allan became 
the first American Indian to receive the Nation's highest art award, 
the National Medal of Arts. In 1993, he was the recipient of the 
National Cowboy Hall of Fame's Prix de West award for one of his 
bronzes. He also received the Ellis Island National Medal of Freedom 
award, which is presented to honor distinguished Americans who have 
made significant contributions to the Nation's heritage.

  In addition to the American Indian Lifetime Achievement Award, Allan 
Houser also received two Guggenheim Fellowships for painting and 
sculpture, the prestigious Palmes Academique from the French 
Government, the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts in New 
Mexico and Oklahoma, induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and 
honorary degrees from the University of Oklahoma, the University of 
Maine, and Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO.
  Allan Houser's works are displayed in prominent museums and public 
places throughout the world such as the United Nations, the Pompidou 
Museum of Paris, the Dahlem Museum of Berlin, the British Royal 
Collection, the National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of 
the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, the Heard Museum, the 
Museum of New Mexico, the Gilcrease Museum, the State Capitol of 
Oklahoma, the U.S. Senate, Committee on Indian Affairs hearing room, 
and the White House.
  During the historical Indian tribal leader's meeting with President 
Bill Clinton on April 29, 1994, Allan Houser presented to the President 
a sculpture entitled ``May We Have Peace''. The sculpture is a smaller 
representation of the full size bronze sculpture presented to the 
American people from the first Americans in a separate ceremony at the 
Vice President's residence on April 28, 1994. The 12-foot monumental 
bronze sculpture was presented to First Lady Hillary Clinton and Mrs. 
Tipper Core, who accepted it on behalf of the American people. It was 
installed at the Vice President's official residence temporarily and 
will later be moved to the Smithsonian's new National Museum of the 
American Indian for permanent exhibition when that museum opens in the 
year 2000. It was Allan Houser's intention that a truly American Indian 
sculpture needed to be placed in a prominent location in the Nation's 
capital.
  On June 12, 1994, in a private ceremony in Washington, DC President 
Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton presented to their Imperial 
Highnesses, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, a sculpture piece created 
by Allan Houser as an official gift from the United States.
  Whether viewed as a world renowned artist, gifted teacher, or wise 
visionary, one point is beyond debate, Allan Houser, through his life 
and through his art, has gently, but powerfully, touched the world with 
his profound talent and spiritual energy. Reaching deep into his tribal 
heritage, Allan Houser has conceptualized and created a body of work 
that will live for all time as a testament to the spirit and rich 
cultural traditions of his people. He forged a path for others to 
follow. Through his art, his life's work, he has raised the hopes and 
broadened the horizons of countless Indian artists, writers, poets, 
educators, leaders and others.
  The world has lost a great artist, and Indian Country has lost a 
great friend. Allan Houser's creative vision and dedication to his art 
have enriched the world by demonstrating the strength, vitality and 
positive spirit of American Indian people. As we mourn his passing, we 
find comfort in the knowledge that Allan Houser's art endures and 
serves as a reminder of his artistic mastery, his bold vision, and most 
of all, his love.

                          ____________________