[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM--CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF 
                        LITERATURE TO OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2017

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, today is the official opening of the 
American Writers Museum, a unique center that celebrates the many 
contributions that writers have made to our history, our culture, our 
understanding and our enjoyment. The American Writers Museum does not 
just document the wonderful record of literature in America, it will 
inspire this and future generations to read and to write, ensuring that 
our rich national tradition will continue.
  The museum is the brainchild of Malcolm O'Hagan, a retired Irish 
manufacturing executive, who eight years ago decided that American 
writers deserved recognition. He knew that there was no museum to 
highlight our American literary legacy and, rather than just ask why 
not, he acted. As a result, beginning today, we will for the first time 
have a museum dedicated to showing the importance of stories, language 
and literature.
  I am very proud that the decision was made to house this unique 
national museum in Chicago, recognizing the many wonderful writers 
based in the city and the importance of the Midwest in our nation's 
cultural history. The American Writers Museum is a wonderful addition 
to our city. As Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said, the ``museum will 
complement the rich offerings of the city's theaters, museum, library 
and musical activities and add significantly to Chicago's vitality.'' I 
am reminded today of my predecessor, Representative Sidney Yates, a 
legendary champion of the arts. I know that he would be very happy to 
celebrate the opening of the American Writers Museum in Chicago and to 
recognize the importance of literature in our lives and in our national 
community.
  I want to thank Mr. O'Hagan for his successful efforts and the board, 
designers, contributors and many volunteers who brought this Museum 
into being. I hope that people from around the country will come to 
Chicago to visit the American Writers Museum to learn, reflect, enjoy 
and be inspired to unleash their own creativity.

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