Our nation has been so fortunate to have had the steady leadership of Dr. Bruce Cole as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities for almost 8 years making him the most longstanding chairman in the Endowment’s history! Normally the departure of such a great and inspirational leader would be a loss to our nation. Certainly, Dr. Cole’s successor will have some big shoes to fill. But at the same time, Dr. Cole built a core team of professionals, many of whom will remain behind to ably continue executing the many initiatives he developed, such as Picturing America. Change is good; hopefully a new leader appointed by the incoming administration of President-elect Obama will be just as favorable for the Endowment. Now, however, we can only admire the many amazing accomplishments of the outgoing chairman, Bruce Cole. Consider the following:

Appointed NEH Chairman by President George W. Bush, Cole was confirmed by the Senate in 2001, and reconfirmed in 2005 for a second term. Cole is the longest serving Chairman in the history of the Endowment. During his tenure, NEH launched innovative humanities programs, including We the People and Picturing America. Under his leadership, NEH led the application of digital technology to the humanities through its Office of Digital Humanities. The office established innovative new grant programs and formed ground-breaking partnerships with the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. Cole has also worked to broaden the international reach of NEH.

“For the past seven years, I had the honor of working with the talented staff at NEH, our National Council on the Humanities, and the state humanities councils to preserve and promote the best of the humanities,” said Cole. “Programs such as We the People and Picturing America bring humanities education to the forefront and increase understanding of our unique history among our citizens. I depart as a grateful American, with profound appreciation for NEH’s commitment to the critical importance of the humanities. I look forward to continuing to promote the understanding of American history in my new endeavor.”

As NEH Chairman, Cole’s highest priority has been to reinvigorate our citizens’ knowledge of American history. At NEH, he approved more than 3,000 grants and $292.7 million dollars in funding for projects about U.S. history and culture, and was responsible for $759 million dollars in overall grant funding during his tenure. The Endowment’s budget also increased during this period.
In 2002, Cole established We the People, a program to improve the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture. Notable We the People projects include Landmarks of American History and Culture workshops for school and community college teachers offered at important American historic sites, as well as the We the People Bookshelf, which annually distributes classic books that explore enduring American themes to thousands of libraries.

One of Cole’s major initiatives at NEH has been Picturing America. Designed to help students understand America’s national story through art, Picturing America brings great American art into classrooms and libraries nationwide, enabling people of all ages to gain a deeper appreciation of our country’s history and character. Through Picturing America, schools and public libraries receive forty large, high-quality reproductions of American art, along with resources to help educators use the images to teach American history, literature, civics, and other subjects.

During the first Picturing America application period in 2008, nearly one-fifth of all U.S. schools and public libraries applied for the program. This fall, working with the American Library Association, NEH made more than 36,000 Picturing America awards to schools, public libraries and Head Start Centers nationwide, and expects to award thousands more by the end of the year. As part of the Picturing America initiative, NEH formed partnerships with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, and the National Park Service.

What makes this news so happy in a way was the simultaneous announcement that Dr. Cole was joining the American Revolutionary Center at Valley Forge as its president and Chief Executive Officer in January, 2009. As unbelievable as it may seem, our nation does NOT have a center dedicated to the study of the American Revolution! It seems impossible to believe that for all the monuments and educational centers we do have, something as important and formative as the events that lead to the founding of our nation and the lasting principles of democracy upon which it was founded, are not permanently recognized for people of this nation and those abroad to enjoy. Bruce Cole has many skills but none greater than a keen awareness of history and how to make it come alive for people of all ages. This is a signature skill of his that has been demonstrated in every project he has undertaken. Congratulations to Dr. Cole and the leadership of the American Revolutionary Center. And to Dr. Cole, my team says a special word of thanks for the tremendous support our work has received from the National Endowment for the Humanities team.

Today is THE day to fly your flag, to display your appreciation for the sacrifice of so many millions of Americans who have had their lives changed, and in too many instances, lost, in service to our nation.

Brave men and women have given years of their lives to ensure that we enjoy the freedoms which define the society in which we live. Expressing our “thanks” may seem like a small gesture by comparison, but I can attest to the fact that an appreciative gesture of any sort is always well-received. Oftentimes I see people in airports walk up to men and women in uniform, returning home or on leave, to say “thanks for your service to our nation”. The soldiers may appear shy, or just say “thanks” in return, but I promise you, they are welling up with pride inside. My mom took my son and niece with two weeks ago to shop for some “goodies” to ship overseas to our soldiers in Iraq. One of our Monuments Men, Harry Ettlinger, regularly goes to the airport near his home town to greet returning vets, one veteran to another. I’ve seen people give up their seats in the front of airplanes to allow a serviceman or woman to sit in a better seat. There are countless other ways to “do something” to express your appreciation to these great soldiers, all of which will leave you feeling better and will be immeasurably well-received by our heroes.

(Robert Edsel receives the shofar)

The Dallas Holocaust Museum and Center for Education and Tolerance hosted a beautiful dinner last evening in my honor, a touching event attended by more than 650 people. A number of survivors were in attendance on what was an even more special day of somber celebration the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Co-chairs Ynette Hogue and Helen Risch organized a fantastic event much enjoyed by all. Honorary chairs Deedie Rose and Gail Sachson were generous in their remarks followed by the presentation to me of a shofar, a ram’s horn blown at important events such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur among others. The shofar signifies a special way of calling, a way of bringing attention to an important message. What an honor it was then, to receive this magnificent gift in front of so many caring and supportive people.

(Monuments Man Harry Ettlinger)

Words fail to express my appreciation to Monuments Man Harry Ettlinger, who traveled all this way to introduce me to the audience. Harry’s warmth and energy won over the crowd and further aroused interest in the work of the Monuments Men and our ongoing effort to put their legacy to the best possible use.

The Dallas Holocaust Museum is doing such important work in our community. Their ongoing plan to build a new museum in the West End area of downtown is proceeding well, even in these difficult times. Each day hundreds of visitors, in particular school kids, visit the museum and have a chance to learn about the horrific events that led to the Holocaust. Survivors often visit to meet and speak to these kids providing them with an experience they will cherish forever. The leadership of this important Dallas institution has wisely broadened their reach by emphasizing the role increased tolerance of others plays in building a more harmonious world. This is a great message to be delivering to kids through their schools, and it is no doubt one of the reasons the Dallas Holocaust Museum is growing in size and audience.

I want to express a special word of thanks to Jim Hogue and Elliott Dlin for their support of our work and making the event so memorable for me, my family, and my friends. It was an experience I will never forget.

(Diego Edsel)

During the election returns I received 7 phone calls from my 15 year old son asking me questions about our political system. "What is the electoral college?" Why don’t states percentage totals add up to 100%?" Lots and lots of questions from a young man watching his first United States election after living in Florence, Italy for almost 13 years. Clearly, he was one of those fired up youths of which we heard so much about during the final weeks of the campaigns. Surely the stirring of curiosity about our political system, in particular the election process, and a greatly increased voter turnout bodes well for our nation. With all due respect to Senator McCain, President-elect Obama stirred those passions, his rival did not. Now come the difficulty days ahead …governing, leading, inspiring, dreaming big while executing precisely.

Can there be a greater nation than America? For those who make comparisons to the decline of the Roman Empire as a way of saying our country’s better days are past, I ask you, is there a nation with the ability to change itself more quickly? A nation where a long-oppressed minority has risen to the highest office in our land in such a relatively quick period if time? (Can you believe that just 40 or so years ago, after almost 200 years of nationhood, black Americans weren’t even allowed to vote!).

This amazing country never ceases to amaze. Sometimes we do seem slow on the uptake, but I believe Americans, in their innate desire to be fair, allow the benefit of the doubt which means the pendulum may swing a bit too far in any given direction. And it may, as a consequence, takes a bit more time to react. But when clarity arrives, Americans are not timid to express their choice. Last night is but one example.

A glass barrier has been broken. Women must be next…and that, too, will be a good thing. Perhaps our new President-elect will govern successfully (I certainly hope so and will do all I can, within my miniscule little bit part, to make his leadership a success), or maybe not. But either way, our nation’s ability - and the wisdom of the voters -to shake things up, to say "we need to have someone who fires us up emotionally, to show the world that our country is just as global in color, diversity, and religious background if not more than the rest of the world, is genius at it’s core. I truly believe the Founding Fathers would be proud beyond words. Their dream…that all men ARE created equal…has taken a major step towards being realized.

Let us not overlook the service to our nation of John McCain, a patriot and hero in every since of the word. No nation can attain much less retain greatness without such citizens. He has made our nation stronger through his service.

I pray that we citizens, as the masters of our fate as Americans, set aside our differences, ignore the vitriol of the media talking heads whose needs for ratings inspire only divisiveness and shock politics, and prove once again what the world believes and only we as Americans occasionally doubt…that the United States of America has a greatness that can be measured in its compassion for others and it’s sincere desire for people throughout the world to have an opportunity to experience just once what Americans have always enjoyed: Freedom!

I wish President-elect Obama and Senator Biden the utmost success and pledge my support. Thank you to Senator McCain for all the years of service you have provided to this country. We are the richer and better nation for it. I pray the divisiveness that has embraced our nation’s leadership - and so many of our fellow citizens - will find no welcome refuge in our new Congress nor at the White House. This is a time for unity, national effort towards common goals, and shared sacrifice for the greater good of the Republic. Being a great nation is not a guaranty…it is a result that is earned.

My dearly missed dad, A. Ray Edsel, had so many funny ways of reinforcing a point that it is often difficult to remember them all. On the few occasions when someone hurled an insult at me, or told me all the reasons why in their opinion I didn’t measure up, why I could never be good at something, or why I had betrayed them, he always told me his story about Mac.

It seems Mac, who drove an 18 wheeler, was sitting at the counter of a roadside diner, quietly waiting for his hamburger to be delivered, when in walked a group of Hell’s Angels. The bikers loudly proceeded to find a table near the counter while in the process making disparaging comments on the few other people eating their meals. Once seated, they saw ole Mac sitting there, by himself, minding his own business. Just as the waitress delivered his food, one of the bikers got up and walked over to Mac and said, “Hey buddy, that burger looks a little dry, maybe you need some ketchup on it”, and then proceeded to pour most of the contents of the ketchup bottle all over the burger. The Hell’s Angels laughed in unison, but Mac said nothing, picked up his knife, wiped aside as much of the ketchup as he could, and took a bite. The biker, in utter amazement, sat down. But, egged on by the others at his table, one of his buddies rose from his seat and walked over to Mac and said “Those french fries looked like they could use some salt”, and then unscrewed the lid on the salt shaker and emptied it on the fries and burger. Mac quietly looked at the guy, shook his head, crumpled up his napkin, paid for the uneaten meal, and walked out of the restaurant. The biker who dumped the salt shaker returned to his table and said to his buddies, loudly, “Can you believe that guy…he was such a wimp, we completely ruined his meal yet he paid for it. He didn’t defend himself, he just took it. That guy sure wasn’t much of a man.” Just as he said this, while the laughter of his buddies was subsiding, someone new came walking into the restaurant who overheard what the Hell’s Angel had said and blurted out…”That guy wasn’t much of a truck driver either, you ought to see what he just did to that row of motorcycles parked out back!”

Dad knew the power of making a good point with some humor. He enjoyed watching me mature from the little boy who was so mad from the slight of the moment that when he started telling this story, I didn’t want to laugh even though I was dying to do so, to an adult who gradually learned the power of restraint and how to use it to openly-directly-and decisively-deal with such matters. Still, the story was funny; we both always laughed all the way through its multiple tellings over the years.

I was reminded of his wisdom…and story…today. Thanks, Dad.

Tomorrow is Election Day in the United States. It provides all Americans with the opportunity to vote…to express their voices about who we wish to lead us into the second decade of this already eventful new millennium. I consider this privilege of voting, followed by each citizen’s right to issuance of a United States Passport, the most defining aspects of democracy. We as Americans are so lucky really…we even have the choice to IGNORE this right and NOT vote although I must profess my personal disdain with those don’t vote and then vigorously complain about what is wrong with government of our nation.

Tomorrow is about YOU!!! It is that unique moment when the system of democracy pauses to listen to you. Let your voice be heard…the small amount of time you may have to wait in line somewhere will pass so quickly you won’t remember it by the time the election returns come rolling in tomorrow evening. I promise you that you’ll feel better every time you have something critical to say during the next four years about government or our new leaders. Besides, you’ll get a chance to meet some other fellow citizens who care deeply about the country and the challenges we face will doing so. And if the polls are at all accurate, you will be participating in history, regardless of who receives your vote.

So I encourage each of you to get our tomorrow if you haven’t voted absentee, and do the most of American things by voting!!! Your country needs you…more than ever.

Summer has ended and half way through September we all find ourselves in a new world distinct from how the summer began. The financial uncertainty of the equity markets and continued challenges of our housing market are upsettingly developments that affect all of us. I take comfort however in the wisdom of experience shared with me over many years by my father, Ray, who as a young boy was raised during the Depression. During the course of his life he was not just a witness but a participant in some of the most challenging events of the 20th Century: surviving the Depression, World War II, the Recession of 1973/74, and the resignation of a President causing the very stability of our constitutional system to seem at jeopardy. Each of these events redefined the world in which he was living and raising a family. They provided plenty of bleak periods as the world he understood was in his rear-view mirror and the road ahead leading him into uncharted territories. And yet he survived and flourished, as did our government, banking system, and nation.

These are challenging times to be sure. It has taken many years for us to dig our way into this situation; years will be required for it to settle out and be repaired. Few will escape the fallout. But the resourcefulness of people to adapt should never be underestimated, especially Americans. The qualities that underwrote the success of this nation – hard work, sacrifice, innovative and creative thinking – will be just as prized and important if not more so going forward as in the past. Difficult times such as these usually refocus our attention on the core values that, at the end of the day, provide the most meaningful elements of a good life. This time will be no different.

I think often of the sadness experienced by a young boy growing up on the dusty plains of Oklahoma in the 1930s, who went out to feed the cows he tended only to find them lying upside down dead, hit by lighting the night before. I think of the uncertainty and fear of a teenager landing on desolate stretch of beach in Japan with bullets whizzing by, dead comrades at his side. I think of a husband and father trying to raise a family with three children, during and unrelenting recession centered on the very industry in which he was engaged, struggling to meet their educational needs and trying to provide for them the opportunities he never. Overcoming each of these challenges required courage and a conviction that better days were ahead. That’s why we often call them “The Greatest Generation”.

These kinds of difficult times forge people of great character. They also require courage and will, I am sure, result in new leaders emerging. And perhaps – and I hope – create a new “Greatest Generation”.

I had hoped to resume blog entries September 1st, however the nature of writing a book often times resembles a bear going into hibernation. The last few weeks have been intensive periods of creativity as I close in on the final section of my new book on the Monuments Men. When researching and writing, there is simply no way to forge ahead without shutting out the world and focusing on completing that next page of text. It is an exciting process but mentally and physically exhausting, especially trying to balance the multitude of other projects we have underway. Sorry for the delay, but I am back!

The highlight of my summer was time spent with my son, Diego, who was embarked upon a new chapter in his life attending school in Miami, Florida. I also had the opportunity to do a little work around my house which has been neglected as a result of my focus on our Monuments Men projects. I even spent a little time doing nothing more important than feeding the swans the meander up and down the creek in front of my home.

I hope your summer was enjoyable and I look forward to sharing with you in the weeks ahead the exciting developments underway and providing reports from the long list of cities that I will be traveling to this fall for lectures about the Monuments Men.

The ultimate flattery is having readers of my blog call our office to make sure I am feeling well out of concern that the absence of recent entries suggested otherwise.  I THANK YOU for your concern.  I know how busy everyone is and it is a supremely thoughtful gesture.  In fact, I am feeling quite well but I do need a vacation and happily, tomorrow it begins.  We have all been busy working on important planning for the Monuments Men Foundation growth and a tremendous investment of time and funds in the creation of the Educational Program now well underway involving The Rape of Europa documentary film.  This is a national effort due to our educational team and Advisory Board members being spread out across the country not to mention their summer travel, so the coordination of these efforts has been quite time consuming.  We are at this stage very pleased with the work we have assembled and that of the educators.  The end result will be a significant development and milestone in how we go about the teaching of cultural property, art, the Holocaust, war, and of course the heroes of the story—all those who worked so selflessly to protect our cultural treasures. 

So I am off tomorrow for a short vacation with my son who shortly begins a new school in a new city and state.  I hope to return rested and ready to finish several critical projects along with resuming a heavy lecture schedule in the fall.  I will resume writing blog entries September 1st and until then, please have a great rest of the summer and be safe.