[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS TO RECEIVE THE NATIONAL MEDAL FOR 
                       MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICE

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                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2014

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Children's Museum of Indianapolis, who is being awarded the prestigious 
National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of 
Museum and Library Services on May 8, 2014. This award recognizes 
``institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to 
their communities'' and is highly selective, as only ten institutions 
receive the award annually. It is also the highest award any American 
museum or library can receive.
  The largest children's museum in the world, the Children's Museum of 
Indianapolis has been a mainstay of Indianapolis' cultural landscape 
since its founding in 1925, and is recognized as the global leader of 
museums for children. Among its many renowned permanent exhibits are a 
recreation of the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Seti I, a forty-three 
foot glass masterpiece by the famed artist Dale Chihuly, the SpaceQuest 
Planetarium where children can view and understand the Indiana night 
sky, and a working carousel from 1917. There is also the Dinosphere, 
which displays full-size dinosaur skeletons, including Leonardo the 
mummified dinosaur. From May 10, 2014 through November 2, 2014, the 
Children's Museum of Indianapolis will be the only museum in the United 
States to display the famed Chinese Terra Cotta Warriors as part of its 
permanent exhibit ``Take Me There: China.''
  As a longtime Indianapolis resident who raised two children in our 
beautiful city, I especially appreciate all that the Children's Museum 
does for Hoosier children every day of the year. During Halloween, the 
museum presents its famous Haunted House, and during the holiday season 
the main staircase is transformed into the magical Yule Slide. Like 
many Hoosier parents, I have fond memories of taking my children to the 
Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and was so moved by the museum's 
work that I was inspired to serve on its Board, which was one of the 
great honors of my career. I am pleased to continue working with the 
museum as a distinguished advisor helping to advance its important 
mission.
  As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, I also want 
to acknowledge how important it is to our nation's future to encourage 
our children's curiosity and provide them with hands-on opportunities 
to learn about the world around them. The Children's Museum does just 
that, and undeniably inspires the more than one million visitors who 
come to experience the museum each year. I am proud to recognize the 
Children's Museum of Indianapolis today for its outstanding work in 
winning the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, and wish the 
museum continued success as it seeks to educate Indiana's children and 
families.

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