[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EITELJORG MUSEUM OF AMERICAN INDIANS AND 
                              WESTERN ART

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I am pleased to have this 
opportunity to recognize a hallmark event taking place this year in 
Indianapolis, IN--the 20th anniversary of the Eiteljorg Museum of 
American Indians and Western Art.
  The museum's facility first opened its doors on June 24, 1989, and 
was one of the first cultural institutions to take residence in White 
River State Park, which has in turn become a vibrant hub of 
recreational and cultural activities in Indianapolis and greater 
central Indiana. A popular attraction since its opening, the Eiteljorg 
Museum continues to thrive. Recently, in 2005, it underwent an 
important expansion that doubled its space by creating a variety of new 
galleries, an education center, a cafe, and a resource center and 
library.
  But it is not only its facility and its existing collections that are 
to be lauded, for the Eiteljorg is also actively engaged in supporting 
new generations of artists and their work. This is perhaps best 
highlighted through the museum's Eiteljorg Fellowship for Native 
American Fine Art and its artists-in-residence program.
  In honor of this year's special anniversary occasion, the museum has 
planned a series of events for its patrons and the community. The 
festivities officially began last month, on March 14, 2008, when the 
new ``Facing West: Celebrating 20 Years of the Eiteljorg Museum'' 
exhibition was unveiled during a special opening day celebration. 
Celebratory events will continue throughout this summer and fall, 
however, and will include a lecture series, festival days at the museum 
and the holding of an anniversary gala later this month.
  Like so many of my fellow Hoosiers, I take pride in the Eiteljorg's 
presence in our State and am thankful for its continued commitment to 
its mission: ``to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, 
history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of 
North America.'' In the actualization of this mission, the Eiteljorg 
has reached a wide patronage of both local residents and visitors alike 
who have come to this unique and inspiring facility to take advantage 
of its wonderful offerings.

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