[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 76 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMENDING JEAN PICKER FIRSTENBERG

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I wish to offer my sincere 
congratulations, commendation, and gratitude to Ms. Jean Picker 
Firstenberg, who announced last week that she will be stepping down as 
chief executive officer of the American Film Institute after 26 years 
of dedicated and exceptional leadership.
  During a tenure lasting nearly three decades, Jean's vision and 
leadership has placed AFI at the forefront of national recognition with 
respect to the history of film in this country. Her efforts 
dramatically widened the scope and magnitude of AFI's activities, and 
she has proven instrumental in moving the organization through times of 
tremendous change at AFI and in the film world as well.
  Founded in 1967, AFI was established to educate the next generation 
of American filmmakers and preserve the Nation's film heritage. Jean 
not only fulfilled this vital need but worked to greatly expand AFI's 
mission. Thanks to her efforts, AFI now stands as the largest nonprofit 
film exhibitor in the country, represents a preeminent voice 
celebrating excellence in American film and television, and has proudly 
championed new film and television media.
  Perhaps Jean's greatest challenge came when the National Endowment 
for the Arts funding which had been AFI's primary source of financial 
support since the organization's inception disappeared virtually over 
night. But thanks to Jean's firm dedication to our Nation's film 
heritage and her boundless energy, she transformed AFI into the self-
sufficient entrepreneurial organization it is today with a strong and 
diverse financial foundation.
  Beyond placing AFI on firm financial grounding, Jean's tenure has 
also seen myriad accomplishments that will forever cement her legacy at 
AFI and in the film and television world. Under her direction, AFI 
acquired the beautiful campus in Los Angeles it calls home, greatly 
expanded its educational opportunities, and opened the Silver Theater 
and Cultural Center in nearby Silver Spring, MD.
  Jean Firstenberg is an American treasure, and her presence as head of 
AFI will be sorely missed. It is truly a pleasure to honor and thank 
her for all she has done for film in America, and I am deeply proud to 
call her my friend. She plans to spend more time now traveling and 
writing, but she will always be the strongest of advocates for 
America's rich artistic heritage.

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