[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO HAROLD M. WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Harold M. 
Williams for his leadership and involvement not only in our community, 
but on a national and international level as well.
  For months now, the citizens of Los Angeles have been anticipating 
the opening of the J. Paul Getty Center. As president and chief 
executive officer of the J. Paul Getty Trust, the wealthiest art 
institution in the world, Harold has played a prominent role in 
bringing culture to our community. Since 1981, Harold has worked to 
ensure that the trust makes a significant contribution to awareness and 
longevity of the visual arts in the areas of conservation, scholarship 
and education. The work Harold has done for the arts has earned him 
praise at both a national and international level. He was appointed by 
President Clinton to serve as a member of the President's Committee on 
the Arts and Humanities and is recognized by the French Government as 
an ``Officer dans L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.''
  Most recently, Harold has been working with President James 
Wolfensohn of the World Bank to develop a partnership which would 
conserve and promote the cultural heritage of developing countries. In 
Harold's own words, ``Historically the World Bank and a lot of others 
have tended to think of sustainable development in social and economic 
terms, and this really amounts to a redefinition of what is sustainable 
development. You really cannot have sustainable development without 
recognizing the cultural heritage of a country.''
  President Kennedy once said that ``. . . Art establishes the basic 
human truths which must serve as the touchstone of our judgment.'' 
Harold has worked for over a decade to ensure that no country's art 
history or cultural heritage will be lost to future generations. His 
awareness of the importance of a rich heritage has made him a champion 
of the arts in our community and around the world, and he has used his 
position as president of this trust to being these issues to the 
forefront of the international agenda.
  As a leader in the educational, cultural and political arenas, Harold 
has worked to improve the standard of living for our community, our 
country and the world. Though he will be officially retiring in 
January, the work he has done will be appreciated by many future 
generations. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in 
honoring Harold Williams for his distinguished portfolio of 
accomplishments.

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