[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO HARRISON EITELJORG

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Harrison Eiteljorg, a dear friend and longtime patron of the arts, who 
passed away last week at the age of 93. This afternoon, friends and 
family will gather in Indianapolis to remember Harrison and to 
celebrate his remarkable life.
  Harrison Eiteljorg was the founder and chief benefactor of the 
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. This museum, 
located in downtown Indianapolis, houses his extensive collection of 
paintings and sculptures of the American West, with works by Frederic 
Remington, Georgia O'Keefe, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Hart Benton. 
It also contains his collection of Indian artifacts, with costumes, 
weapons, ceremonial objects and masks representing tribes of the 
Midwest, Plains, and Northwest coast. The Eiteljorg collection is 
perhaps the finest of its type anywhere in the world.
  Harrison Eiteljorg found absolute joy in the pursuit, discovery and 
acquisition of paintings and sculptures of the American West. Early in 
his life, business interests took Eiteljorg on frequent and extended 
trips to the West and Southwest. His interest in Indian artifacts and 
crafts developed at this time, together with his attraction to Western 
painting and sculpture.
  Eiteljorg began assembling his collections in the late 1940's. His 
first piece was Olaf Weighorst's Cutting Horse, which depicts a cowboy 
about to rope a steer. As his collection grew, Eiteljorg tried to meet 
many of the artists whose works he purchased, in an effort to share a 
few moments of their lives. And, he gave his encouragement and 
financial support to several young artists, enabling them to devote 
full time and attention to their art.
  Harrison Eiteljorg was also a supporter and active member of the 
Indianapolis Museum of Art. He became a member of the IMA Board of 
Trustees in 1962, served as board chairman from 1974 to 1983, and had 
been honorary chairman since 1987. In the 1980's, Eiteljorg made a gift 
to the IMA of more than 1,000 pieces from his collection of African and 
oceanic art.
  As a former mayor of Indianapolis, I understand the importance of 
citizens being involved in their local communities. Harrison 
Eiteljorg's strong sense of civic responsibility and duty helped make 
Indianapolis a showcase for art and culture.
  Harrison Eiteljorg's personal commitment to preserving the heritage 
of American Indians and the evolution of the West is to be commended. 
While he will be sorely missed, his important collections will continue 
to educate and enchant visitors to the Eiteljorg Museum and the 
Indianapolis Museum of Art for many years to come.

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