[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 20 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATIONS TO GOVERNOR MEL CARNAHAN OF MISSOURI

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                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 1999

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Governor 
Mel Carnahan of Missouri is one of five public leaders nationwide to 
receive an Americans for the Arts' Government Leadership in the Arts 
award.
  Governor Carnahan received the 1999 Americans for the Arts and The 
United States Conference of Mayors Award for State Arts Leadership. 
Governor Carnahan was recognized for his outstanding leadership in 
forging overwhelming bipartisan support of the arts, resulting in 
unprecedented cultural policy within the state of Missouri. He 
spearheaded and signed into law a provision designating 100 percent of 
an existing tax on non-resident athletes and entertainers to build a 
$100 million state Cultural Trust over the next ten years. A portion of 
this designated revenue stream will also provide annual state budget 
increases for the arts. A number of other exemplary initiatives also 
characterize Governor Carnahan's leadership in the arts. Since taking 
office in 1993, Governor Carnahan steadily increased the annual 
appropriations for the arts in the state, ranking Missouri seventh 
nationally in per capita state funding for the arts. He established the 
Missouri Fine arts Academy at Springfield, MO, providing 200 high 
school students each year the opportunity to participate in a three-
week residence program to sharpen their artistic talents. His efforts 
also led to the statewide public school adoption of arts education as a 
part of their core curriculum.
  Nominated by the Missouri Arts Council and Missouri Citizens for the 
Arts, Governor Carnahan was honored at the Mayor's Arts Gala at 
Washington, D.C., on January 28, 1999. The event was held in 
conjunction with the Conference of Mayor's Annual Meeting and the Urban 
Arts Foundation meeting, a gathering of more than 700 mayors and arts 
leaders from across the nation.
  Governor Carnahan shares this honor with many key national figures 
including, Senator Edward Kennedy, of Massachusetts; Representative 
Michael Castle, of Delaware, Mayor Joseph Riley, of Charleston, S.C.; 
and Jane Alexander, former NEA Chairperson.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating 
Governor Carnahan, and join the Americans for the Arts in commending 
his good work.

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