[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 27 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY

                                 ______


                        HON. HAMILTON FISH, JR.

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 1994

  Mr. FISH. Mr. Speaker, tonight my wife, Mary Ann, and I will have the 
pleasure of attending the Washington Performing Arts Society's annual 
gala, ``Strings in Spring'' which will feature a special performance by 
internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Under the patronage of 
President and Mrs. Clinton, this evening will benefit WPAS' community-
wide arts enrichment programs which are focused primarily on students 
in the District of Columbia public school.
  Now in its 28th season, the Washington Performing Arts Society [WPAS] 
is one of the Nation's leading nonprofit, independent, 
multidisciplinary, presenting organizations. Each season, WPAS presents 
over 100 recitals, orchestral, jazz, gospel, performance art, and dance 
performances at the Kennedy Center, GALA Hispanic Theater, the Warner 
Theater, and other theaters throughout the metropolitan Washington 
area. The Philadelphia Orchestra, Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman, 
the Boys Choir of Harlem, Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oak Dance 
Project are among the artists WPAS is bringing to the Nation's Capital 
this year.
  From the beginning, WPAS has been committed to enriching the 
educational experiences of area school students, particularly young 
people in need, and their families. As budget cuts force the 
elimination of arts enrichment programs in many schools, WPAS's 
educational arts presentation are in more demand than ever. The 
programs that will benefit from the Gala include:
  Concerts in Schools, which brings the performing arts experience to 
250,000 area school students in grades K-12 each year at no cost to the 
schools or students. Students in every District of Columbia public 
school and selected schools in Maryland and Virginia suburbs are 
introduced to jazz, dance, music, opera, and other art forms in these 
programs which encourage respect for and understanding of diverse 
cultures.
  The Embassy Adoption Program is a multicultural enrichment program 
designed for sixth grade students in the District of Columbia public 
schools. Over 40 embassies ``adopt'' a class for a semester and 
interact with the students as they study the culture, Government, and 
geography of their ``adopted'' country.
  The Enriching Experiences for Seniors program provides entertainment 
by area professionals, university, and high school artists and choirs 
to senior citizens in nursing homes and retirement centers throughout 
the Washington metropolitan area.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
Washington Performing Arts Society on its efforts to enrich the 
cultural life of our Nation's Capital by bringing the best in the 
performing arts and educational arts programs to our community.

                          ____________________