Norman Rockwell: Golden Rule Mosaic – UN 40th Anniversary 21 Oct 1985

Filed under Thanksgiving - Gratitude | UN Anniversaries

A member of “Sri Chinmoy: the Peace Meditation at the United Nations” was invited to be on hand for the presentation of the “DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.”  Golden Rule mosaic to the United Nations.

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This represented “A Thanksgiving for the Fortieth Anniversary of the United nations from the People of the United States of America”. This was made possible by The non-Profit NGO: “Thanks-Giving Foundations” in Dallas Texas which received support from generous individuals and organizations.

The members of the Peace Meditation Group at the UN had been involved with the Thanksgiving Foundation and the “Center for World Thanksgiving” there from 1975. A mutually encouraging relationship developed.

>for More links to other related programmes see: Thanksgiving – Gratitude

One Norman Rockwell Mosaic explanation at UN website (English, French, Spanish) gift of USA

On the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations in 1985, this mosaic was presented to the United Nations by Mrs. Nancy Reagan, the then First Lady, on behalf of the United States.

It is based on a painting by the American artist Norman Rockwell called the Golden Rule. Rockwell wanted to illustrate how the Golden Rule was a common theme of all the major religions of the world, and depicted people of every race, creed and color with dignity and respect. The mosaic contains the inscription “Do unto Others as You Would Have Them Do unto You”. It was executed by Venetian artists specializing in mosaic works.

See:  United Nations, cyber schoolbus. … Resources > UN Tour > Photographs..http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/untour/subnor.htm

Excerpt from: United Nations Press Release HQ/466. 21 October 1985

A Norma Rockwell mosaic depicting people of different nationalities standing together with the words ” do unto others as you would have them do unto you” inscribed on it, was presented by Nancy Regan,…seeks to depict “a vision of a united people” … an example that “nations could take heart in and work for”. The mosaic has been installed on the third floor f the conference building

Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar, in accepting the mosaic on behalf of  the United Nations, said: “The painter’s vision indeed recalls the Charter ‘s inspiring precept for all ‘to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours’. The mosaic eloquently expresses our aspirations for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction to sex, race, language or religion.”

The Secretary-General added; “Norman Rockwell portrayed the essential qualities of integrity and compassion, of common decency and honesty. They are clearly reflected in the faces of this mosaic –faces that include his own. ” (For the text of the Secretary-General ‘ s statement, see Press Release SG/SM/3770–HQ-465  .)

According to information provided by the United States Mission to the United Nations, the idea for the painting originatcd with an unfinished Rockwell drawing of the Security Council. “The painter spent five months transforming the earlier work into a painting which would illuminate the principle which he and the world hoped the United Nations would serve.”

Mrs . Reagan said that the Thanks-Giving Square Foundation of Dallas, Texas, hod arranged  and financed the creation of the mosaic.

Additional text excerpt from: Press Release SG/SM/3770–HQ-465

Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar at the presentation by Mrs. ,Nancy Reagan of a Norman Rockwell mosaic:

It gives me great pleasure to accept this magnificent Norman Rockwell mosaic, as a gift to the United Nations on the occasion of our fortieth anniversary. Let me express our warm appreciation to Mrs. Nancy Reagan and, through her, to the American Government and people, for their generous symbol of support for the world Organization.

You have chosen a most appropriate theme for the United Nations, one that is truly in keeping with the guiding spirit of the Charter. The painter’s vision indeed recalls the Charter’s inspiring precept for all “to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours“. The mosaic eloquently expresses our aspirations for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to sex, race, language or religion.

Norman Rockwell portrayed the essential qualities of integrity and compassion, of common decency and honesty. They are clearly reflected in the faces of this mosaic –faces that include his own. He was a painter of warmth and humanity. And above all, he was proud of his work’s popular appeal. That is a lesson for all of us. We must never forget that it is to
“the peoples of the United Nations ” that we. owe our first allegiance. To realize their hopes for a future of universal dignity, justice and peace, is the aim of all our endeavours in the world Organization. Your gift today is a fitting reminder of this objective.

  From background provided by the Thanksgiving Foundation at the time of Presentation

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1985-10-Oct-21-Rockwell-Mosaic-UN-40th-n-regan-usa-a-keefe-peace-med-unMrs.Regan 1st lady of USA Presented the Mosaic on behalf of the USA. Here she greets Adhiratha Keefe who represented the Peace Meditation Group at the UN for the event. The Peace Meditation Group at the UN had collaborated with the Thanks-Giving Foundation on many inter faith events in the past. The representatives of the foundation had been present for Interfaith, International Thanksgiving programs and other events hosted by the Meditation Group. The Peace Meditation Group had also been represented at many special interfaith events at Thanks Giving Square in Dallas, Texas.

 

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Photo of Meditation Group member at Presentation with USA First Lady, Mrs. Nancy Reagan

 

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