[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 73 (Friday, April 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       REMOVAL OF DAVID PULPHUS' PAINTING FROM THE CANNON TUNNEL

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                               speech of

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2017

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Rep. Clay for 
hosting this important special order hour, and thank him for all his 
hard work on this very important issue over the past few months.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, I wanted to share my 
appreciation this evening for David Pulphus and his artwork ``Untitled 
#1'' which won the Congressional Art Competition in Missouri's 1st 
Congressional District, home to the city of St. Louis.
  David's painting is a wonderful piece of artwork, a contribution that 
we will not soon forget, and should still be hanging in the Capitol.
  As the great poet Langston Hughes once said ``An artist must be free 
to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to 
do what he might choose.''
  David's artwork strikes at the core of our nation. He bravely chose 
his subject and expressed it in a beautiful and moving painting and it 
is my hope that he continue to express himself and his artwork without 
fear.
  In February I sent David a letter expressing my apologies that his 
painting was unfairly taken down from the halls of the Capitol. It is 
my sincere hope that this experience does not deter him, or other 
aspiring young artists, from future endeavors in the arts.
  Thank you Rep. Clay for allowing me to speak tonight.

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