[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[July 12, 1994]
[Pages 1249-1250]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum on the Presidential Awards for Design Excellence
July 12, 1994

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject: Presidential Design Awards Program

    As the largest purchaser of design services in the world, the 
Federal Government should be a leader in fostering design excellence. 
Good design can profoundly affect our lives by beautifying our 
surroundings, improving our productivity, and helping to effect social 
change.
    Over two decades ago, the National Endowment for the Arts was asked 
by the White House to assist Federal agencies in improving the quality 
of design in the Federal Government. Over the years, the efforts of the 
Endowment's Federal Design Improvement Program have helped agencies to 
make significant progress in the pursuit of design excellence. I am 
committed to furthering those efforts.
    The Presidential Design Awards Program was established in 1983 to 
honor successful achievement in Federal design and encourage excellence 
throughout the Federal Government. I recently announced the call for 
entries for Round Four of the Presidential Design Awards and

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asked Jane Alexander, Chairperson of the National Endowment for the 
Arts, to implement the Presidential Design Awards Program. I am 
confident that she will have your full support. Please designate an 
individual with an appropriate background and position to serve as your 
liaison with the Endowment to ensure the success of this important 
program. Please be advised that there will be a Presidential Design 
Awards Program briefing at the National Endowment for the Arts on July 
18, 1994.

                                                      William J. Clinton