[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH J. RISHEL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 30, 1996

  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Joseph J. 
Rishel, whose knowledge of and dedication to fine art has benefitted 
the citizens of Philadelphia for 25 years.
  After receiving his M.A. from the prestigious University of Chicago, 
and teaching at the College of Wooster, Joe Rishel began working at the 
Philadelphia Museum of Art as associate curator of European Painting 
before 1900 and the John G. Johnson collection. In 1972, Joe was 
promoted to curator of the Rodin Museum, as well as curator of European 
Painting and Sculpture Before 1900 and the John G. Johnson collection. 
Joe continues to serve in this capacity, overseeing the daily 
operations of the European collections as well as the Rodin Museum.
  In addition to the day-to-day duties of running a first-rate museum, 
Mr. Rishel has coordinated several of the major exhibitions at the art 
museum, bringing some of the world's most celebrated artistic works to 
Philadelphia. Most recently, Joe acted as the cocurator of the 
sensational Ceszanne retrospective, which attracted record crowds in 
Paris, London, and Philadelphia--over 780,000 attended the exhibit in 
Philadelphia. On August 22d, I was lucky enough to have Joe as my 
personal guide through this exhibit of over 100 paintings and 75 works 
on paper. Having had this unique opportunity, I am confident that all 
780,000 who viewed the exhibit in Philadelphia share my sense of 
gratitude to Joe for bringing such a wonderful collection to America.
  Joe's other successes extend beyond the confines of the museum. He is 
an accomplished author on art and art-history, having contributed to 
many museum publications as well as to the catalogue, ``Great French 
Paintings from the Barnes Foundation,'' which was written in 
conjunction with the Barnes exhibition which traveled last year through 
Europe, Asia, Canada, and the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, in light of Mr. Rishel's accomplishments in the art 
world as well as his successes in making fine art available to the 
people of Philadelphia, I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring 
Joe on this day.

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