[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 16074-16075]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   2010 GOVERNOR'S AWARDS IN THE ARTS

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I recognize the artistic 
achievements of the recipients of Idaho's 2010 Governor's Awards in the 
Arts.
  The Idaho Commission on the Arts, a State agency committed to making 
the arts available to all Idahoans, established the biennial Governor's 
Awards in the Arts in 1970 to advance the recognition of Idaho arts and 
artists. Artists play a vital role in enhancing the quality of cultural 
and educational life throughout America. It is important to honor the 
significant contribution of Idaho artists to Idaho's rich artistic 
culture. I join in recognition of the achievements of the following 
recipients of the 2010 Governor's Awards in the Arts and thank them for 
their contribution to Idaho and the Nation: David Giese; Alma Gomez; 
George Halsell; Cary Schwarz; Randy Priest; Dwight Towell; Lisa Myers; 
Ruth Pratt; Lynn J. Skinner; Richard E. Bird; Christine Hatch; Tom 
Tomkins; Arthur Hart; Henry T. Hopkins; and Senator James A. McClure 
and Mrs. Louise McClure.
  David Giese, of Moscow, ID, is a recipient of an ``Excellence in the 
Arts'' award for his distinguished 33-year career as a professor of art 
and design at the University of Idaho. He is also being recognized for 
his remarkable record of 24 one-person exhibitions and many more 
juried, invitational group shows. Additionally, the originality of his 
mixed-media art forms is exemplary. David's lasting and noteworthy 
career and contribution to artistic development is admirable. He has 
enhanced the visual art form and motivated budding artists.
  Alma Gomez of Boise also received an ``Excellence in the Arts'' 
award. Alma has achieved significant accomplishments as a visual artist 
and adjunct professor of art at Boise State University. She is also 
being honored for painting exceptional murals at Boise State 
University, the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho, and Terry Reilly 
Health Services in Nampa. Alma is a very talented painter who has 
contributed to the aesthetic appearance of many important facilities 
and has helped foster artistic growth in other artists through her work 
at the university. This award is well deserved.
  Musician George Halsell, of Twin Falls has been honored through an 
``Excellence in the Arts'' award for his more than 20 years of 
distinguished accomplishments as a musician, composer, conductor, and 
music educator. George most recently introduced his ``Symphony in Five 
Episodes'' through a performance by the Magic Valley Symphony. George 
Halsell's sustained musical achievement and ability to channel his 
musical talents to reach others is remarkable. George has earned his 
place among great Idaho artists.
  Cary Schwarz, a Salmon area saddlemaker, has been honored with the 
``Excellence in Folk and Traditional Arts'' award. Cary, a founding 
member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association, has set an 
outstanding standard in saddlemaking for more than 25 years. For many 
years, Cary has also taught the art to aspiring saddlemakers. Cary has 
contributed greatly to the saddlemaking craft and advanced the craft 
through furthering the skill in others. Cary's involvement to further 
this traditional art form is admirable.
  Randy Priest of Donnelly received an ``Excellence in Folk and 
Traditional Arts'' award for his 35 years as a premier western hatter. 
For many years, Randy has served as a hat maker for local Donnelly 
residents. He has also made hats for national celebrities. Randy is 
also being honored for passing down his skills to apprentices. Hat 
making is often a challenging art that requires extreme skill, 
especially in teaching others the trade. Randy's gift and effort to 
teach others merit this recognition.
  Custom knifemaker Dwight Towell of Midvale is a recipient of an 
``Excellence in Folk and Traditional Arts'' award for his more than 30 
years of custom knifemaking and status as one of the best knifemakers 
in the world. Dwight is a widely respected member of the Knifemakers 
Guild. Dwight's talents have also been consistently showcased in the 
Art Knife Invitational Show, and he has received the Beretta Award for 
Outstanding Achievement in Handcrafted Cutlery. The precision and skill 
Dwight has demonstrated in honing his craft is exemplary and rightly 
being recognized.
  Lisa Myers of Nampa has been recognized through a ``Support of the 
Arts'' award for her 17 years of support for local visual and 
performing artists and hosting the Valentines for AIDS exhibition that 
has raised $250,000 for the Safety Net for AIDS Program. Lisa also 
initiated the HIP Holiday Market and Project Reconstruct Fashion Show 
benefiting the Dress for Success program. Lisa's leadership in 
advancing the arts and her singular vision, determination, and 
commitment are highly commendable. Lisa's exemplary dedication to the 
arts and the community is remarkable. Her commitment and support are 
truly inspirational.
  Ruth Pratt of Coeur d'Alene is also a recipient of a ``Support of the 
Arts'' award. Ruth has served as executive director of the Coeur 
d'Alene Library Foundation for 7 years, where she led a public/private 
partnership with the city to build a new $7 million library enhanced 
with commissioned art. Ruth is also being recognized for her support of 
a local jazz concert series, training nonprofits to attract investors, 
and for her service on the board of directors for the Idaho Nonprofit 
Center, Spokane Public Radio, Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre, and Arts & 
Culture Alliance of Coeur d'Alene. Ruth has contributed considerable 
time and effort to growing the arts throughout the area. Ruth's 
thoughtfulness and dedication are ensuring that more Idahoans have 
access to inspiring art.
  Lynn J. Skinner of Moscow has achieved a ``Support of Arts 
Education'' award for serving as executive director of the Lionel 
Hampton International Jazz Festival from 1976 to 2007 and encouraging 
thousands of young jazz enthusiasts. Lynn has dedicated considerable 
time and talent to advancing jazz music. Lynn's lifetime of teaching 
and sharing his love of music with young people, serving as a jazz 
clinician and adjudicator in the United States and Canada, and his 
selection for the Downbeat Jazz Educator Lifetime Achievement Award are 
also being honored through this recognition. Lynn's admirable 
enthusiasm is motivational and commendable.
  Richard E. Bird of Rexburg is also the recipient of a ``Support of 
Arts Education'' award for his more than three decades as a teaching 
member of the art department faculty at Ricks College and his 
exceptional mastery of oil and watercolor painting, calligraphy, 
graphic design, and ceramics. Richard has also being honored for his 
service as a charter member of the Idaho Watercolor Society and founder 
and president of the Upper Valley Art Gallery, Rexburg. Richard's 
substantial skill and dedication to the craft are outstanding. His 
considerable commitment is award worthy.
  Christine Hatch of Idaho Falls received an ``Excellence in Arts 
Administration Award'' for her 8 years of service as executive director 
of the present Art Museum of Eastern Idaho and establishing museum 
programs in a variety of media and art forms that reach nearly 12,000 
students, teachers and families. Christine has also been honored for 
making the museum an essential part of the community; opening the 
museum to youth programs, such as art classes, poetry readings and 
musical events and for serving as the former president of the Idaho 
Falls Symphony. I am very proud of my sister who has contributed 
significantly to the strength of our community and fostered the growth 
of the arts. Her dedication is inspiring, and I join all of our family 
and friends in commending her achievement.
  Tom Tompkins of Boise is also the recipient of an ``Excellence in 
Arts Administration Award'' for his years of exemplary representation 
of the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy and serving as Boise's 
ambassador to music and to all groups and organizations in the arts, 
professional and amateur. Tom has also served a key role in the 
Ensembles in the Schools educational program, and he has also been 
honored for performing as principal viola for

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the Boise Philharmonic for 25 years, as viola in the outstanding Boise 
String Quartet, and as a string player with the nationally recognized 
music group Onamatopoeia. Tom's expertise and commitment to the 
performing arts is renowned. His musical abilities, music advocacy and 
advancement of musical education have touched many lives and are 
praiseworthy.
  A ``Special Commendations'' award went to historian Arthur Hart for 
beginning the art department at The College of Idaho in 1948. Arthur 
has also been recognized for his distinguished publications concerning 
Idaho history and architecture and his Honorary Membership in the 
American Institute of Architects. Arthur has led the way in broadening 
artistic opportunity for students. Through his strong achievements, 
others have had the chance to grow artistically. Idahoans have 
benefited greatly from Arthur's foresight and fortitude.
  The late Henry T. Hopkins of Idaho Falls is a recipient of a 
``Special Commendations'' award. Henry Hopkins' achievements as a 
cofounder and director of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and 
service as director of the Fort Worth Art Center Museum, the San 
Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Wright Art Gallery at UCLA, Armand 
Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center and on the National Advisory 
Board of the Boise Art Museum are commendable. Henry has also been 
honored for his unparalleled influence and impact on the arts in Idaho. 
Henry Hopkins forged a legacy of accomplishments in the arts. His 
inspiration has helped fuel the expansion of the arts and artistic 
achievement.
  The Honorable Senator James A. McClure and Mrs. Louise McClure are 
the recipients of the ``Lifetime Achievement'' award for their 
substantial support of the arts. Louise and Jim have dedicated 
significant time and effort to fostering the arts and are being 
recognized for Louise's service on the National Council on the Arts and 
Jim's service on the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the 
Performing Arts. They have also been long-time supporters of the 
University of Idaho Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival and have 
demonstrated tireless support of the arts in Idaho and throughout the 
Nation. The McClures' commitment to Idaho and the arts is inspirational 
and commendable, and it is an honor to join in recognizing the 
contribution of these two great Idahoans.
  All of those being honored through the 2010 Governor's Awards in the 
Arts are making our communities stronger through their participation in 
and encouragement of artistic expression. They add fresh perspective 
and deepen our understanding of each other and the world around us. It 
is a great privilege to help recognize the immense artistic talent 
throughout Idaho. These recipients, who are utilizing a variety of art 
forms, are not only contributing to their crafts, but also they are 
fostering the growth of artistic achievement through teaching others. 
For this, I thank all of the award recipients and commend Governor 
Otter and the Idaho Commission on the Arts for the 40th anniversary of 
the awards and their roles in these achievements.

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