Home > News > Remarks at de Young Museum Opening Dedication Ceremony
Remarks at de Young Museum Opening Dedication Ceremony
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Assemblyman Mark Leno, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Mayor Willie Brown, Fine Arts Museums Board President Dede Wilsey, Mayor Gavin Newsom, and Fine Arts Museums Director Harry Parker participated in the de Young Museum Dedication Ceremony on October 15, 2005.
San Francisco -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke this afternoon at the re-opening of the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park. Below are her remarks:
"Thank you Dede Wilsey, members of the Board of Trustees, Mayor Newsom, and friends of the de Young Museum.
"I would also like to acknowledge the men and women in hard hats who built this beautiful museum. Thank you.
"Thank you Dede for your kind words of introduction. It is indeed an honor to participate in the dedication of the new de Young in the Park, an occasion of great cultural and civic importance to our community.
"I wish to join all of you in paying tribute to Dede Wilsey, whose dedication and charm literally changed the course of events. Dede made the dream of a new de Young in the Park a reality.
"You did so by the power of your personality and the power of your example. The legendary philanthropy of Al and Dede Wilsey set a stunning pace of giving that ensured success.
"It is fitting indeed that the very heart of this magnificent museum is named the Wilsey Court.
"I also wish to pay my respects to the de Young family. At the Centennial 10 years ago, much attention was paid to the role that Mrs. de Young and other de Young women played in the creation and success of the de Young Museum.
"That tradition continues with Nan McEvoy. Thank you Nan for the Nan Tucker McEvoy Wing which will house the de Young’s world renown early American collection, including the treasured Rockefeller collection of American Art. Thank you to all the members of the de Young family.
"And special congratulations to Barbro and Barney Osher. If there ever were a Nobel Prize for philanthropic giving for intellectual pursuits, the Oshers would certainly get it. We are all looking forward to seeing the wonderful sculpture garden. Thank you Barney and Barbro.
"And Judy and George Marcus are giving a special gift to the children—an introduction to art with their Garden of Enchantment. And it’s so typical of them because of their commitment to children and family and education. Thank you George and Judy Marcus.
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi spoke at the re-opening of the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park.
"Nancy and Jake Hamon have given us the gift of inspiration by lifting our eyes to the sky to the tower, and from there to the beauty that is San Francisco.
"Even if Phyllis Wattis were to live 200 years, she would never have time enough to see for herself all that she has wrought. Her mark in the arts is everywhere, and future generations, as well as our own, are her beneficiaries.
"I take such great pride in these San Franciscans and part-time San Franciscans because of what they have made possible, not only here today but throughout the civic and cultural life of our City.
"And can you imagine the pride that Harry Parker must be experiencing today? Harry has envisioned the design and collections that are housed in the de Young. His critical eye, his unwavering commitment and his distinct understanding of art have brought the Fine Arts Museums to their stature as a world class museum. Harry, thank you.
"The dream of and the enthusiastic support for a new de Young are matched by the visionary work the Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. They designed a museum that is a work of art. A museum with an exceptional presentation of the distinctions and connections among the art of different cultures and different eras of creativity. The new de Young shows the visitor how great art, though very diverse, can be complementary.
"All of art — whether early American, ancient American, African, Oceanic, contemporary — all of it have one thing in common: imagination.
"As the distinguished Pulitzer Prize winner, former Librarian of Congress Daniel Boorstin, wrote in his book Cleopatra’s Nose which is appropriate in terms of our Egyptian show, “While there are traditions and styles and schools in the arts, every act of creation is a kind of personal Declaration of Independence.”
"That freedom of expression is essential to art. It is an American tradition and we must preserve it.
"In the 18th Century, President John Adams said, “I must study politics and war so that my children may have the liberty to study mathematics, commerce and agriculture so that their children have the right to study painting, poetry, music and architecture.”
"That tradition continued to centuries later when President John F. Kennedy stated, “The life of the arts—far from being an interruption in the life of the nation—is very close to the center of our nation’s purpose.”
"In that spirit, as Democratic Leader of the Congress of the United States, I bring the congratulations and appreciation of all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to Dede Wilsey, Harry Parker, the Board of Trustees, the de Young family, to you Mr. Mayor, and to all of you for San Francisco’s magnificent gift to the nation.
"A lasting legacy of beauty and freedom that will be passed onto future generations. And that is indeed cause for celebration. Congratulations and thank you."
