[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 134 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          ARTS AND HUMANITIES

                                 ______


                           HON. PAT WILLIAMS

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 1994

  Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, on Monday of this week President Clinton 
once again indicated his strong interest and support for the arts and 
humanities by appointing a number of prominent Americans to the 
President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. I want to commend the 
President for this, and to thank him for his continued efforts to 
advance and maintain our Nation's cultural traditions.
  President Clinton's actions yesterday will hopefully revitalize the 
12 year-old citizens arts and humanities support group. I especially 
want to applaud the appointment of John Brademas to chair the 
committee. Throughout his distinguished career, John Brademas has been 
a champion for the arts and humanities. I am confident he will provide 
the knowledge and vision that the committee will need if it is to 
successfully perform the important job before it.
  The Committee has not been particularly active in the recent past, 
however its charge to promote the arts and humanities and increase 
private support for them is truly needed now, perhaps more so than ever 
before. No one sector can provide all of the support that the arts and 
humanities need to flourish. We must have partnerships, not only 
between different levels of government, but also with the private 
sector. The New President's Committee can be of assistance in fostering 
these partnerships.
  As chair of the committee having jurisdiction over the Arts and 
Humanities endowments, I hope the President's Committee will see itself 
as a resource, not only to the endowments but also to our committee as 
we begin the process of reauthorizing the NEA, the NEH, and the IMS. 
This may well be the most important reauthorization these agencies have 
ever undergone. There are many issues that have to be explored and many 
questions to be asked and answered regarding the direction of Federal 
support for the arts and humanities. Although the President's Committee 
has no official legislative authority or responsibility with respect to 
these agencies, I'll be looking to the Committee for appropriate 
guidance and counsel as my committee reviews the NEA, the NEH and IMS. 
The new members to the President's Committee have years of wisdom, 
experience and knowledge in the arts and humanities, and I'll be 
calling on them to share their thoughts and comments with me and my 
committee.

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