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Change and history -- and Jim Leach!
Just last week, ACTA seconded Justice Souter's concern about growing civic illiteracy -- a concern which has motivated not only ACTA, but also much of the good work done by the National Endowment for the Humanities under Bruce Cole and Carole Watson. As Thomas Jefferson noted in a passage we are fond of quoting: "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." That's why we are also pleased to hear that Jim Leach, the former Congressman nominated by the White House to head the NEH, told The Washington Post that "The hallmark of our times is change and acceleration, but we have to provide the history."
To our mind, Mr. Leach's comment is not just a random observation. His years as a dedicated public servant have been informed by a strong grounding in history and culture.
In nominating Leach, the White House has acknowledged the important role those outside the academy can play in advancing excellence in the humanities. We wish him the very best!
Posted by Anne D. Neal on June 04, 2009 at June 4, 2009 02:09 PM
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