    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 32 (Monday, August 16, 1993)]
    [Page 1592]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Nomination for Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts

     August 7, 1993

        The President today announced his nomination of award-winning
    actress, producer, and author Jane Alexander as Chair of the National
    Endowment for the Arts, National Foundation on the Arts and the
    Humanities.
        ``The arts play an essential role in educating and enriching the
    lives of all Americans, and the National Endowment is integral to
    helping arts thrive throughout the country. The NEA helps enhance our
    children's learning, serves as an economic catalyst for local
    communities, and makes the arts a more accessible and vital part of
    people's everyday lives,'' said the President.
        ``The Endowment's mission of fostering and preserving our Nation's
    cultural heritage is too important to remain mired in the problems of
    the past. It is time to move forward, and Jane Alexander is superbly
    qualified to lead the Endowment into a new era of excellence. Just as
    she has brought the power of performance to regional theaters throughout
    the country, she will be a tireless and articulate spokesperson for the
    value of bringing art into the lives of all Americans.
        ``More than 30 years ago, President John F. Kennedy said, `I see
    little of more importance to the future of our country and our
    civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist.' With
    those words as her challenge, I am confident Jane Alexander will work
    tirelessly and courageously to make the arts a full and productive
    partner in our Nation's future,'' the President said.

    Note: A biography of the nominee was made available by the Office of the
    Press Secretary.