[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 196 (Wednesday, December 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1655-E1656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING EARL A. POWELL III, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2018

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Earl ``Rusty'' 
Powell III, on the occasion of his retirement, after 26 years as 
director of the National Gallery of Art, located in Washington, D.C.
  Rusty is a graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, 
Massachusetts. After graduating with degrees in art history and 
European history, Rusty served three years of active duty as an officer 
with the United States Navy, including a tour in Vietnam before joining 
the reserves. After his service, Rusty continued his education at 
Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts earning both his masters 
and doctorate degrees in art history. Prior to his directorship at the 
National Gallery, Rusty served as a professor of art history at the 
University of Texas and was director of the Los Angeles County Museum 
of Art.
  In 1992, Rusty was named director of the National Gallery of Art. 
During his tenure, the Gallery has undergone major renovations 
including the creation of the Sculpture Garden and the expansion and 
complete renovation of the East Wing. In addition to the growth of the 
physical structure, the National Gallery's collection has continued to 
grow while increasing recognition for underrepresented and living 
artists. Rusty focused on utilizing the permanent collection in new 
ways rather than large loan exhibits.
  In addition to his work at the National Gallery, Rusty serves as the 
chailman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and a trustee of the 
American Federation of the Arts, the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz 
Foundation, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the 
Norton Simon Museum, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and 
the White House Historical Association. He is a member of numerous arts 
organizations, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the 
American Academy Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences, the 
American Philosophical Society, and the Committee for the Preservation 
of the White House, among others. Rusty's awards include the Chevalier

[[Page E1656]]

de la Legion d'Honneur and the Officier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des 
Lettres, both from France; the Commendatore dell'Ordine al Merito della 
Republica Italiana; the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle; Norway's King 
Olav Medal; the Williams College Bicentennial Medal; the Centennial 
Medal, awarded by the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; the 
Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary; and 
the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of 
Germany, 2014.
  With Rusty's leadership and support over the last 26 years, every 
division at the Gallery has experienced tremendous growth and 
contributed to art historical scholarship, conservation, and museology 
at the highest standard of excellence. Since Powell's first year as 
director in 1992, the Gallery has welcomed more than 122 million 
visitors.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in 
congratulating Rusty, on the occasion of his retirement, after 26 years 
of exceptional service to the National Gallery of Art.

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