[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 14, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  DEATH OF ALLAN HOUSER, NOTED ARTIST

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to express my sadness over 
the recent death of Mr. Allan Houser, a generous man and world-renowned 
artist from Santa Fe, NM.
  Mr. Houser, a Chiracahua Apache who first moved to New Mexico more 
than five decades ago, was a true leader in the world of Indian art. As 
a congressionally appointed member of the board of trustees of the 
Institute of American Indian Arts, the Nation's only college dedicated 
solely to Indian art and culture, I know first hand of Mr. Houser's 
tremendous impact as an artist, a teacher, and a mentor to young 
American Indian artists. Throughout the world, Mr. Houser was known for 
his work in stone, clay, wood, steel, as well as his work in painting 
and drawing. The monumental bronze pieces of art he created are perhaps 
his best known works. They grace museums, governmental buildings, and 
private homes from New Mexico to Japan. In fact, one stands today in a 
place of honor in the Senate Russell Building, room 485, the Senate 
Indian Affairs Committee's hearing room. If my colleagues have not seen 
this beautiful tribute to the American Indian spirit, I urge them to do 
so.
  This past April, Mr. Houser presented Hillary Rodham Clinton with a 
piece aptly entitled ``May We Have Peace.'' This sculpture of an Indian 
offering a peace pipe will be placed in the Smithsonian Institution's 
National Museum of the American Indian, which is currently under 
development.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Houser was the recipient of 
several prestigious awards. In 1980 he received the New Mexico 
Governor's Award for his contributions to the arts. In 1992 President 
George Bush presented him with the National Medal of Arts, the Nation's 
highest honor for artists. Mr. Houser was the first American Indian to 
receive this award. Perhaps his most touching tribute is the Allan 
Houser Art Park, located on the grounds of the Institute of American 
Indian Arts Museum in Santa Fe, NM. This beautiful sanctuary is a 
source of peaceful inspiration to all visitors, but it is particularly 
significant to the many young and talented American Indian art students 
who attend IAIA each year.
  Mr. President, my thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Houser's family 
and friends. I hope they can find comfort in knowing that while we have 
indeed lost a treasure, Allan Houser's legacy will always remain in our 
hearts and in the extraordinary works of art he created. Thank you.

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