[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1272-E1273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF HUMANITIES WASHINGTON AND THE 15TH 
            ANNIVERSARY OF ITS BEDTIME STORIES LITERARY GALA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2013

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 40th 
anniversary of Humanities Washington and the 15th anniversary of its 
Bedtime Stories literary gala in Seattle.
   Since its founding in 1973, Humanities Washington has served the 
state with humanities programming, sparking conversation and critical 
thinking using story as a catalyst, nurturing thoughtful and engaged 
communities across Washington State. As Washington State's flagship 
non-profit for the humanities, it plays a critical role in addressing 
an immediate and growing crisis concerning community identity and 
understanding, respect for other perspectives, and the ability of 
communities to work together to shape a better future.
   Humanities Washington's work in cultural education--ranging from 
Speakers Bureau to Traveling Exhibits to Family Reading--promotes 
awareness of the history of local communities and its residents, 
provides opportunities for people to gather and learn more about their 
unique past and shared present, and nurtures relationships that enable 
us to move forward towards a more prosperous future.
   The humanities--including history, literature, philosophy, ethics, 
law, and other fields of inquiry--encourage us to investigate, speak, 
listen, read, reflect, question, think, grow, and act. Using the 
disciplines of the humanities, Humanities Washington provides programs 
and experiences of lasting value, creating insight, understanding, 
wisdom, and a deeper

[[Page E1273]]

appreciation for a variety of perspectives and all that we share as 
Washingtonians and Americans.
   This year also marks the 15th anniversary of one of Humanities 
Washington's signature events: Bedtime Stories. Bedtime Stories is an 
annual literary celebration featuring critically acclaimed Northwest 
writers unveiling new short stories created specifically for dinner 
galas in Spokane and Seattle. National Book Award Winner Charles 
Johnson has called it ``the region's premier literary event.'' Johnson 
is one of the founders of the gala, and will receive the 2013 
Humanities Washington Award at Bedtime Stories in Seattle on October 4.
   Mr. Speaker, I would like to convey my congratulations to Humanities 
Washington for 40 years of excellent, necessary work sharing the 
humanities with Washingtonians. I salute Humanities Washington as it 
works to ensure that the humanities are key to civic life for 
generations to come.

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