WHEREAS, in 1975, Congressman John Brademas, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 22 years (D-Indiana), and Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-Rhode Island) authored the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act, which enables museums in the United States to borrow works of art and artifacts from museums in other countries without paying prohibitive insurance premiums; and

WHEREAS, under the statute, American museums can seek approval of indemnity by the Federal government of loans and of art and other objects from foreign museums; and

WHEREAS, since its enactment, the Act has been used in some 360 exhibits -- including Tutankhamun, the Vatican, Alexander the Great, the Treasure Houses of Britain, the Mexico and Malevich exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Frans Hals and Titian exhibits at the National Gallery; and

WHEREAS, this years marks the 30th anniversary of the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the United States Conference of Mayors urges mayors to honor and recognize the 30th anniversary of the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act which has allowed thousands of U.S. museums around the country to borrow works of art and artifacts from museums overseas for the educational benefit and enrichment of Americans in communities nationwide.