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values are placed on artistic endeavors and where government support is a long-established practice. Unfortunately, the Congress failed to act on this bill in the last session.

Another measure, which I sponsored and upon which we hope to achieve action in the next Congress, would provide that many more of America's talented young artists are included in the President's special international cultural exchange program. I have proposed legislation which would create an actual twoway exchange. No such mutual exchange now exists for young artists under this program. In fact, the major emphasis of the current program to date has been restricted to large professional groups and individual professional artists. Moreover, when these groups do go abroad, the price of admissions to performances in the fine arts has been beyond the pocketbooks of most people in other countries. Large professional groups and distinguished American artists perform in opera houses and great halls and usually for only limited engagements because of the expense.

Clearly, these performances do not reach the man in the street, the university student with limited funds, and student artists in countries around the world. I believe that our international cultural exchange program must be broadened to include students and their teachers, community groups, and university and conservatory groups-such as those from the schools represented here today. There is not only a vast audience abroad for them but also a vast reservoir of friendship for them to tap.

My proposal would support the performances of individual artists, choral groups, youth orchestras, and drama groups from other countries on their tour of the university circuit in the United States. Isaac Stern declared at a recent International Music Conference, that the most effective penetration in international cultural exchange is at the youth level.

In addition to the need for the Federal Government to place a broader emphasis on the arts in connection with international cultural activities, we must also provide a means to promote a knowledge of and interest in the arts among more of our own citizens. I believe we should establish in Washington a “National Showcase" program to display the very excellent productions of our institutions of higher education. The primary purpose of the showcase would be to encourage the further development of all the arts in colleges and universities. The time is upon us to establish a permanent program to encourage our young people with interest and talent in the arts, instead of leaving their discovery-as in the case of Van Cliburn-to the U.S.S.R.

This bill would also inaugurate an International Olympiad of the Arts and Sciences. This program, to be held every 2 years, would present high quality international exhibitions, productions, festivals, and programs in the arts and sciences-designed to strengthen the mutual understanding of the peoples of the world. As I see it, after communicating with the heads of all the nations of the world, our President would address their representatives at a conference in Washington inviting nations to join with the United States in competitions in the arts and sciences in five main fields.

In my opinion, we should have an international folk festival, a festival of drama and the dance, a music festival which would involve individual competitions in all of the principal instruments in use today throughout the world, a competition in painting and sculpture, and, a competition in the sciences. This Olympiad could provide many benefits. It would serve as an opportunity for young artists or scientists to win distinction. It would give other peoples a chance to learn that Americans are not simply materialistic, money-minded individuals. Finally, the world would be greatly enriched by this exchange of artistic and scientific ideas. I think that there would be enough public interest after the first Olympiad to warrant reliance upon subscriptions from individuals and organizations to finance future American participation.

Today we have seen only a few of the ways in which the Federal Government might further the cause of the arts in this country. We certainly already know that the principle of Government assistance to promote cultural activities is not a new one in the world's history. Indeed, it is very much in line with the philosophy of the Founding Fathers of our own country. Surely, Americans have matured enough as a people to recognize that we need no longer remain colonials in culture or continue to suffer from a national cultural inferiority complex.

In conclusion, may I leave you with this profound statement of the philosophy which I believe this Nation should perpetuate. As Mr. Howard Taubman, music critic for the New York Times, has so ably expressed it:

"***We must become convinced by cultivation and experience that the arts are a vital element of any civilized society. Only if we achieve this conviction and wisdom shall we go on to integrate the arts in the fabric of everyday living. Then we shall proceed to do the things that remain to be done.

"Our attitude toward the arts will undergo a change when we learn to admire wholeheartedly achievements of the mind that do not produce an immediate monetary gain, when a Trendex count is not used to thrust low-grade conformity on the bulk of what is presented on a mass medium like television. Let us learn from Europe-and from our neighbors to the south as well-that some of our wealth and ingenuity should be employed to provide our people not only with the material comforts but also with the adventures of the heart and mind that bring compassion and exaltation into our lives." 10

Mr. THOMPSON. At this time we shall hear from Congressman Emanuel Celler of New York.

STATEMENT OF HON. EMANUEL CELLER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Mr. CELLER. I am indeed pleased to have this opportunity to set before the members of this subcommittee the reasons for the introduction of my bills, H.R. 3509 to establish a program of grants to States for the development of programs and projects in the arts, and H.R. 3510 to provide for the establishment of a Federal Advisory Council on the Arts to assist in the growth and development of the fine arts in the United States.

An exciting note was struck by President Kennedy in his inaugural address, wherein he placed the development of the arts among the objectives to be sought for the common good. This is in line with the thinking of many Members who, for many years, have tried through legislative proposals to establish a Federal Advisory Council on the Arts and in addition, to provide for Federal aid for the fine arts at the State level. Again, as in the past, I have introduced these two bills which are designed to promote and encourage the cultural development within the United States.

I maintain that we in the United States are not bereft of development of the liberal and fine arts. Great contributions are being and can be made by the fine arts to the morale, health, and general welfare of the Nation. However, it is the very richness of our art flowing through the various strata of the various regions of our country that gives rise to the need for a Federal Advisory Council on the Arts. Such a council would undertake to make studies and recommendations, which would serve to clarify existing conditions in the light of existing needs in the field of art. In essence, it is the development and expansion of the arts that I believe to be of significance.

A Federal Advisory Council in and of itself is but doing half the job. What is needed is a broad and comprehensive program of assistance to the several States in developing projects and programs in the fine arts. This can best be done, I believe, by a program of grants to States. The bill I have introduced seeks to establish in the executive branch of the Government, specifically in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the appropriate machinery whereby

10 New York Times magazine, Dec. 7, 1959, p. 69.

aid and counsel can be given to private and public agencies within the States whose purpose it is to stimulate the growth and appreciation of the liberal and fine arts.

There is abundant proof of an enormous hunger for all aspects of the fine arts. Little theaters, small orchestras, small art schools are all struggling to emerge from their chrysalis, and we can help them establish themselves with just the little encouragement that a grant to the States would be. Countries abroad have all known the need to sponsor and give aid so that the theaters and operas of their lands could get their initial support. Our own country, via the State Department's educational exchange and cultural exchange has done magnificient work in bringing to the attention of the world, our enormous cultural inheritance and development. The scale is still a small one, however, and our needs are great.

It is my hope that this Congress will act without delay on these proposals.

Mr. THOMPSON. Our next witness will be the Honorable Frank Chelf of Kentucky.

STATEMENT OF HON. FRANK CHELF, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF KENTUCKY

Mr. CHELF. Mr. Chairman, in his 1955 message on the state of the Union former President Dwight Eisenhower said that

In the advancement of the various activities which will make our civilization endure and flourish, the Federal Government should do more to give official recognition to the importance of the arts and other cultural activities.

At that time General Eisenhower recommended the establishment of a Federal Advisory Council on the Arts.

This measure has been before this committee for the ensuring 6 years, and it will be appreciated if this measure, which Congressman Thompson and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey have continuously sponsored, is reported favorably to the floor for consideration by the House. The budget was estimated by the previous administration to be $50,000 a year.

It passed the Senate in 1956 and reached the House floor from this committee last year.

It even got on the Consent Calendar at that time.

Another measure which should have the support of this subcommittee is the bill which Congressman Frank Thompson, Adam Clayton Powell, Carroll D. Kearns, Emanuel Celler, Senator Joseph Clark and I have cosponsored.

This is H.R. 2227 and H.R. 4174 and related bills.

This would provide a total sum of $5 million and establish a Federal-State grant-in-aid plan to aid the arts.

This money would be used to help the several States inventory existing programs and assist those now underway and help develop new programs.

President Kennedy during last fall's campaign wrote in a statement printed in Equity magazine, which is published by the AFL-CIO Actors' Equity Association that

I am in full sympathy with the proposal for a federally supported foundation to provide encouragement and opportunity to nonprofit, private and civic groups

in the performing arts. When so many other nations officially recognize and support the performing arts as part of their national cultural heritage, it seems to me unfortunate that the United States has been so slow in coming to a similar recognition.

The United States is almost the only nation in the world today which does not support the fine arts as a national policy.

Every nation and people aids those things which it honors, and certainly it is time that we here in our country gave some concrete evidence that we believed in the importance of those activities which make our civilization endure and flourish.

It is ironic that many of the countries around the world which have been assisted in their economic recovery by the $80 billion which we have contributed through the mutual security program and the Marshall plan have been enabled thereby to aid the fine arts.

I include as part of my remarks a letter I have received from Mrs. Thomas D. Winstead, chairman, Fine Arts Department, Kentucky Federation of Womens Clubs. I include some items bearing on my bill to make the National Cultural Center Act permanent.

(The matters referred to follow :)

Hon. FRANK CHELF,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

RINEYVILLE, KY., January 13, 1961.

DEAR MR. CHELF: I was most interested to read about the bill you recently introduced in Congress which would enable each State to receive up to $100,000 of Federal funds for supporting cultural activities.

This is a wonderful, worthwhile action you have undertaken and this department wishes to commend you highly for such a far-reaching project. It is all too true that in a nation abounding in all of the necessities and a good many of the luxuries of the good life, we are sadly lacking in resources for the advancement of sustained cultural programs. Would that we had more Congressmen with the insight and courage to do something about it.

I am sure I speak for all of the 15,000 members of the Kentucky Federation of Women's Clubs when I say we are back of this all the way and most willing to do anything we can to assure the passage of this bill.

Sincerely,

Mrs. T. D. WINSTEAD,

Chairman, Fine Arts Department, Kentucky Federation of Womens Clubs.

[H.R. 5617, 87th Cong., 1st sess.]

A BILL To amend the National Cultural Center Act so as to make it permanent and to provide for a living memorial to past Presidents of the United States, including Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 3 of the National Cultural Center Act (72 Stat. 1699) is amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 3. The Board shall provide, by construction, alteration, or otherwise, for the establishment, on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution, of a National Center of the Performing Arts which shall be designated as such and dedicated as a living memorial to past Presidents of the United States including Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt. Such center shall be located on a site or sites in the District of Columbia selected by the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution (hereafter in this section referred to as the 'Regents') and shall consist of such auditoriums, libraries, and art galleries as will encourage and assist in advancing and in raising the standards of the performing arts for children and adults, in the professional, educational, amateur, and recreational fields, in the Nation's Capital as well as throughout the Nation. Such facilities as may be suitable, or which can be made suitable, and which are owned by the Federal Government, or which are in private ownership and which may be offered the Regents or the Board on reasonable terms,

shall be utilized for the purposes of this Act. The Regents shall select such facilities and sites. The Board shall provide for the establishment of such center on such site or sites as may be selected by the Regents from among the following: "(1) the area in the District of Columbia bounded by the Inner Loop Freeway on the east, the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge approaches on the south, Rock Creek Parkway on the west, New Hampshire Avenue and F Street on the north;

"(2) suitable sites at the Naval Gun Factory in the District of Columbia; “(3) suitable sites in Potomac Park;

“(4) suitable sites fronting on, or near, the Mall;

"(5) real property (including existing improvements thereon) fronting on Lafayette Park in the District of Columbia ;

"(6) any real property (including existing improvements thereon) in private ownership which may be offered the Regents on reasonable terms or which they may acquire on reasonable terms through solicitation or otherwise; and

"(7) other sites (including improvements thereon) in the District of Columbia determined by the Regents to be suitable.

The Board shall acquire by purchase or otherwise such real property as may be necessary to provide for the establishment of the National Cultural Center of the Performing Arts and related facilities."

SEC. 2. Such Act is further amended by striking out "National Cultural Center" each place it appears therein (except section 7) and inserting in lieu thereof "National Center of the Performing Arts."

SEC. 3. Section 7 of such Act is repealed.

[From the Congressional Record, Mar. 24, 1961]

CONGRESSMAN FRANK CHELF'S PLAN FOR A LIVING MEMORIAL TO PAST PRESIDENTS HAS GROWING SUPPORT

(Extension of remarks of Hon. Harris B. McDowell, Jr., of Delaware, in the House of Representatives, Friday, March 24, 1961)

Mr. MCDOWELL. Mr. Speaker, our distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Chelf], has introduced an extremely interesting bill, H.R. 5617, to provide for a living memorial to past Presidents of the United States, including Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt. Congressman Chelf has said that "unless plans for a living memorial or memorials are vigorously pushed, the Nation's Capital will be overrun with statuary and resemble a graveyard."

It has been pointed out by such publications as the New York Times that there are enarly 200 statues to statesmen, many of them nearly forgotten, in the confines of the Federal City.

The major newspapers in the Nation's Capital have grown increasingly critical of the memorials proposed for our past Presidents, and the suggestion is being heard more and more frequently that living memorials for our past Presidents make a lot more sense than many of the plans for memorials currently being considered.

I include as part of my remarks a letter which was published in the always informative and readable “Letters to the Editor" column of the Washington (D.C.) Evening Star:

"LIVING MEMORIAL

"Representative Frank Chelf, Democrat, of Kentucky, deserves the thanks of a grateful and patriotic public for his significant new bill to make the National Cultural Center permanent. Such a step is long overdue. Haste makes waste, and if we have more time to examine the plans for the center, and to raise the money, everyone, including the donors, will be more satisfied and the results will be more enduring.

"At the same time, Chelf has taken steps to provide that the National Cultural Center shall, with its various facilities, such as auditoriums, libraries, and art galleries, be a living memorial to all past Presidents.

"His reasoning is sound. He points out that 'unless plans for a living memorial or memorials are vigorously pushed, the Nation's Capital will be overrun with statuary and resemble a graveyard.'

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