[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1925-E1926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PRESIDENT CLINTON HONORS NINA ARCHABAL AND MARTIN MARTY

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                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 1997

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to recognize the 
distinguished work of Nina Archabal and Martin Marty and to 
congratulate them on their honor. This week, Nina and Martin were among 
10 Americans to whom President Clinton bestowed the National Humanities 
Medal for extraordinary achievement in the humanities. On this the 
first day of October, the beginning of National Arts and Humanities 
Month, it is very appropriate that we celebrate those that enable many 
of us to enjoy and experience the arts and humanities.
  As the director of the Minnesota Historical Society, Nina Archabal 
has renewed interest in Minnesota's heritage and infused it with new 
life. In the last 5 years, her energy and dedication has carried the 
Minnesota History Center in St. Paul from a dream to one of the 
Nation's premier centers for the preservation and presentation of 
history. By giving all groups the ability to express their unique 
histories, she allows Minnesotans to celebrate their diversity while 
transcending their differences in race, ethnicity, age, gender, or 
creed. Most recently, Nina was selected to serve on the American Folk 
Life Center board of the Library of Congress.
  In these hectic times, it is very easy to lose sight of our cultural 
and social heritage. However, through the study of history we learn to

[[Page E1926]]

build on the strengths and traditions of our past to create a better 
foundation for our future. We realize how our past influences our 
present and informs us of our decisions and actions in the future. 
Individuals, like Nina Archabal, dedicate their time and energy to 
ensure that we will always learn from those that came before us.
  Nina's enthusiasm has caught on in Minnesota. Under her leadership, 
the Minnesota Historical Society has thrived, boasting the largest 
membership of any State historical society in the Nation. I am 
personally grateful, as are the people of St. Paul and Minnesota, for 
the endeavors of admirable individuals, like Nina Archabal, who, 
through her diligent and spirited efforts has ensured that the heritage 
of Minnesota will remain alive and accessible for generations to come.
  As a religious scholar, professor and author, Martin Marty has been 
instrumental in bringing religion into the lives of the American 
people. In this challenging time of balancing work and family 
responsibilities, more and more Americans are examining the role of 
religion, faith, and spirituality in their lives. Unfortunately, 
religion is often used to divide rather than unite individuals. Martin, 
through the establishment of the religion project at the University of 
Chicago, reverses this trend and uses religion as a vehicle for 
understanding among diverse groups and organizations. His values and 
spirit are instilled not only in his students but also in his son, 
Minnesota State Senator John Marty. Senator Marty has brought this same 
level of understanding, fairness, and inclusiveness to his work at the 
State legislature.
  Mr. Speaker, dedicated and creative individuals such as Martin Marty 
and Nina Archabal are among our Nation's most valuable resources in 
retaining a positive and comprehensive perspective on our past and 
future.
  I ask that the full text of an article from the St. Paul Pioneer 
Press be printed in the Record so that my colleagues can read about the 
achievements of these outstanding individuals.

                 [From the St. Paul (MN) Pioneer Press]

    Clinton Honors Minnesotan for Her Work on State History Center--
    Archabal Among 20 Given Medals for Humanities, Arts Achievements

                          (By Bill Salisbury)

       Washington.--At a ceremony on the south lawn of the White 
     House on Monday, Minnesota Historical Society Director Nina 
     Archabal was in prominent company. She rubbed shoulders with 
     the likes of actors Angela Lansbury and Jason Robards, jazz 
     singer Betty Carter, bluegrass musician Doc Watson, 
     theologian Martin Marty and author Studs Terkel.
       They were among 20 Americans on whom President Clinton and 
     first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton bestowed the National 
     Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts.
       When the president placed a humanities medal around 
     Archabal's neck before a crowd of more than 1,000, it was in 
     recognition of her leadership in helping develop the 5-year-
     old Minnesota History Center in St. Paul--one of the nation's 
     premier centers for the preservation and presentation of 
     history--and for her work in bringing history to life.
       ``She is a fireball who lets no one stand in her way when 
     the issue is to preserve Minnesota's history,'' Clinton said, 
     ``In the state of Minnesota, she's a bridge builder between 
     native peoples and other Minnesotans, helping them to share 
     their stories. To America, she exemplifies how tradition 
     forms everyday life and shapes history.
       ``Just this morning,'' he added with a grin, ``she told the 
     president that it was high time he hightailed it out to 
     Minnesota to see exactly what she's doing.''
       Archabal, 57, of St. Paul, has headed the Historical 
     Society since 1986. It has the largest membership of any 
     state historical society in the nation.
       The National Endowment for the Humanities said in a 
     statement that Archabal has helped transform meticulous 
     scholarship into history programs meaningful to people. The 
     endowment also praised her for helping Minnesota Indians tell 
     the stories of their culture and traditions to native and 
     non-native people.
       After the ceremony, Archabal said: ``This award is really 
     for all the people of Minnesota. No one could do this alone, 
     and I wish everyone could have this medal to wear because 
     they deserve it.''
       What makes Minnesota unique, she said, is its deep, 
     longstanding commitment to preserving a heritage that started 
     with its territorial founders.
       ``The items we preserve and the stories we tell are not 
     only about the Minnesotans we all know--the Hubert Humphreys 
     and Charles Lindberghs--they are the stories of all the 
     people that make Minnesota what it is today,'' she said. 
     ``That is our strength.''
       Another of the humanities medal recipients has a Minnesota 
     connection. Marty, a renowned scholar of American religious 
     history at the University of Chicago, is the father of state 
     Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, who attended the White House 
     ceremony with other members of his family.
       The senior Marty teaches and directs a public religion 
     project. A past president of the American Academy of 
     Religion, he is the author of 50 books and the senior editor 
     of the weekly magazine Christian Century and the biweekly 
     newsletter Context.

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