Brandon Williams: “31 years ago the Congress of the United States created the National Endowment for the Humanities for a grateful public.…”

“31 years ago the Congress of the United States created the National Endowment for the Humanities for a grateful public. On behalf of that public the Congress said this: ``An advanced civilization must not limit its efforts to science and technology alone, but must give full value and support to the other great branches of scholarly and cultural activity in order to achieve a better understanding of the past, a better analysis of the present, and a better view of the future. To fulfill its mission, achieve an orderly continuation of a free society, and provide models of excellence to the American people, the Federal Government must transmit the achievement and values of civilization from the past to the future.'' Thirty years ago the Congress gave that charge to the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the endowment has met that charge faithfully, thoughtfully, and innovatively. The National Endowment for the Humanities is a national success.”