[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E504-E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            YOUTH ART MONTH

                                 ______


                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 1996

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, this month we have 
celebrated Youth Art Month, a valuable advocacy program that cultivates 
and emphasizes the importance of art and of quality art education in 
the lives of today's children.
  In today's world, filled with harsh realities and ambiguity, children 
often lose touch with themselves and their surrounding environment 
creating a damaging gap. Since art is not only a representation of life 
in its physically, emotionally, and spiritually, it provokes self 
introspection and, in turn, helps to bridge this gap. Youth Art Month 
reminds us that this importance should never be taken for granted, for 
art is one of the most integral components in the development of a 
child's imagination and cognitive mind. Art adds a new dimension to a 
child's personality--a dimension of imaginative thought, subjective 
interpretation, and perhaps most important--individuality.

[[Page E505]]

  My uncle, the Late Robert F. Kennedy extolled the importance of 
creativity in our children's lives. ``Too often, the arts have been 
thought of as nice, but rather non-essential part of education. When we 
give our children the chance to explore and develop their own 
creativity, we encourage the sensitivity and ability for self-
expression that is so crucial a part of the well-informed, well-
educated person.''
  I commend the Council for Art Education for creating Youth Art Month 
and for its efforts to instill in America an appreciation for art and 
art education. I sincerely hope that our children and future 
generations will cherish and celebrate art and the enormous 
contribution its forms have made to this great Nation.

                          ____________________