[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E32-E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       A TRIBUTE TO JUDITH PISAR AND THE AMERICAN CENTER OF PARIS

                                 ______


                        HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of my 
colleagues to the achievements of a great American woman, born in the 
Ninth Congressional District of New York.
  Judith Pisar, who was installed last year as a Chevalier of the 
Legion of Honor of France, has spent more than two decades building 
cultural bridges between the Americans and the 
[[Page E33]] French as chairman of the American Center of Paris. The 
American Center, founded 63 years ago, has become the home away from 
home for the American arts. The physical space, designed by Frank Gehry 
and reopened last year to acclaim, contains theater and studio space, a 
visual arts center, a movie theater and lecture hall with classrooms 
and living space for American artists in residence. But beyond its 
dimensions it's a place where the best of American culture can be 
shared with the French. Over the years, Judith Pisar and her colleague 
Henry Pillsbury have made the American Center in Paris an outstanding 
venue for artistic, cultural and intellectual dialog between our 
country and Europe.
  Judith, who as I said was born in Brooklyn, studied at Vassar 
College, New York University, and the Juilliard School of Music before 
beginning her career in contemporary arts. In 1962, she founded a 
lecture forum called ``The Composer Speaks,'' bringing distinguished 
talents to cities and universities nationwide; she served as the 
administrator of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and musical 
director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. In the early 70's, she 
joined the American Center in Paris, where she has truly made magic 
over the years. Following her years of dedicated service as chairman, 
Mrs. Pisar has retired but will continue to serve the American Center 
as chairman emeritus.
  In appreciation of her achievements, Judith Pisar has been honored in 
the French Senate by the French Minister of Culture, Jacques Toubon, 
and by the Vice President of the Senate and former Minister of Foreign 
Affairs, Maurice Schumann. Her work has also been recognized by 
President Bill Clinton and Francois Mitterand, President of the French 
Republic. I will insert into the Record messages from these leaders 
following my remarks.
  Finally, I would like to thank my friend John Brademas for bringing 
Judith Pisar's outstanding achievements to my attention and giving me 
this opportunity to pay tribute to her fine work.


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