[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF NEA CHAIRMAN WILLIAM IVEY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute one of America's finest 
and most respected arts policy advocates who left public office at the 
end of September--Bill Ivey, Chairman of the National Endowment for the 
Arts. During his three-year tenure, Chairman Ivey has been an effective 
leader and has placed the National Endowment for the Arts on sound 
footing. While in past years, mention of the Arts Endowment has 
frequently been prefaced by such adjectives as ``beleaguered'' or 
``embattled,'' today, the NEA is a dynamic and forward looking agency.
  One of Chairman Ivey's most enduring legacies is his success in 
changing the tone surrounding the debate of federal funding the arts 
here on Capitol Hill. His down-to-earth personality, his tenacity in 
holding face-to-face meeting with more than 250 Members of Congress, 
his two and a half decades of experience as the director of a non-
profit arts organization, and his astute insight into arts policy and 
community needs won praise from both sides of the aisle. Today, the NEA 
enjoys strong bipartisan support, and in 2001, received its first 
budget increase since 1992.
  Chairman Ivey came to Washington with a clear vision for the NEA and 
the arts in America and he articulated that vision in a five-year 
strategy. Challenge America is an initiative that has won the support 
of not only Members of Congress, but of communities and citizens all 
across the nation. This program effectively focuses federal arts 
funding on some vital American values: education, services to young 
people, preservation of our cultural heritage, and community 
partnerships.
  Chairman Ivey has also sought cooperation with other federal 
agencies, establishing new partnerships and strengthening existing 
ones. Today, the Arts Endowment works in partnership across America 
with more than 20 other federal agencies as well as state arts agencies 
and local arts organization on hundreds of projects to enrich the lives 
of all Americans.
  Chairman Ivey is a strong leader and a passionate spokesman for the 
arts, artists, and our nation's living cultural heritage. His influence 
will long be felt in these areas and his presence will be greatly 
missed by those of us who have had the privilege of knowing and working 
with him. The National Endowment for the Arts are fortunate to have had 
him at the helm of our nation's federal cultural agency. Best of luck, 
Bill; I know you will continue working to establish the value of the 
arts in the hearts and minds of all Americans.

                          ____________________