Letter from Barry Goldwater to Lyndon Johnson after He Accepted the Vice President Nomination

pain 266 SO. CLIFFWOOD AVENUE paid L LOS ANGELES 49, CALIFORNIA October 27, 1965 The President White House Washington, D.C. Dear Mr. President: Thank you for including me among your guests for dinner on October 5th. Not the least of my reasons for being grateful is that I have been able to share this experience with my four sons. It has brought them closer to their President and to a more mature appre- ciation of his problems. If I had been called upon to speak after dinner, Mr. President, I would have talked to your guests about the meaning of the new National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities. I would have expressed my pleasure that we are accepting yet another challenge to achieve goals worthy of our great country. When we strive for greatness in artistic expression we open avenues for the expression of greatness in the human spirit. It has been suggested that the Arts Endowment encourage the establishment of repertory thea- ters across the country. As these theaters put down their roots, as our young people are exposed to the skillful presentation of great plays, great ideas, great language, our vision is that regional artists will gradually emerge. In time, as a result of this healthy new outlet, each region will produce its own outstanding players and playwrights. The ideal of an inter- change of production and talent throughout the country can become a reality. Similarly, one of the vital functions of an American Film Institute will be that of un- leashing the artistic resources of our young people by providing them with opportunities for professional training in this, the most "popular" art form.