[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11113-S11114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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            65TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTERIOR'S INDIAN CRAFT SHOP

 Mr. CAMPBELL. Madam President, as a Native American, artist 
and craftsman, it is an honor for me to speak today in recognition of 
the 65th anniversary of the Indian Arts and Crafts Shop at the U.S. 
Department of the Interior.
  Established with the help of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, the 
Crafts Room first opened its doors in 1938 and has served as an outlet 
for Native American artists to market their excellent products to the 
world.
  With the help of the Indian Crafts Shop, today's market for Indian-
made goods is roughly $1 billion, with thousands of Native American 
artists creating authentic arts and crafts conveying the beauty of the 
Native culture to the peoples of the world.

[[Page S11114]]

  Native art and crafts not only employs thousands of Indian country's 
best and most prolific artists, but educates non-Native people about 
the ways and culture of the Native American population.
  Throughout its history, the Indian Crafts Shop has showcased Native 
art that represents generations of Native people, their culture and 
heritage from every region of the United States. The shop assists in 
efforts to protect Indian cultural heritage and strives to ensure that 
Native-made goods are recognized for their artistic tradition and fine 
craftsmanship.
  The Indian Craft Shop has 65 successful years behind it, and I look 
forward to its continuing success in supporting Native artists and 
people nationwide.

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