[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 60 (Monday, May 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         HONORING CARMEN ZAPATA

                                 ______


                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 1994

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and address this House to 
recognize Ms. Carmen Zapata, a grand American, for her commitment to 
the arts and to the community of Los Angeles.
  Since 1973, Carmen Zapata has been the president, producing director, 
and cofounder of the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts [BFA], a 
performing arts organization dedicated to presenting the Latino 
experience and culture, through the medium of bilingual theater 
productions, to both English- and Spanish-speaking audiences.
  Ms. Zapata has been quoted as saying, ``Hispanic drama is recognized 
throughout the world, and deservedly so. But because of the language 
barrier, it's not well-known to this country.'' Bringing Hispanic drama 
to Los Angeles has taken hard work and determination, two qualities 
inscribed with Carmen Zapata's name.
  Ms. Zapata has devoted more than two decades to the Bilingual 
Foundation of the Arts, which is celebrating its 21st anniversary on 
May 20, 1994. The foundation stages three plays a year, ranging from 
classical to contemporary, by playwrights from the United States, 
Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Spain. Ms. Zapata 
has rightfully received much acclaim for these productions.
  She works closely with the Los Angeles Unified School District to 
bring the works of great Latino authors to students. Since 1985, the 
bilingual Foundation of the Arts has dispatched two touring bilingual 
youth productions each year throughout southern California--one to 
grade schools and another to middle and high schools.
  The youngest of three children of a Mexican-born father and an 
Argentine-born mother, Ms. Zapata grew up in New York's Spanish Harlem. 
In 1945, fresh out of high school, she landed her first role in the 
Broadway musical ``Oklahoma!'' After several years on Broadway, she 
took to the road and appeared throughout the country as a stand-up 
comedienne. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1965, Ms. Zapata has 
appeared in numerous television and film productions. Her numerous 
credits include the television series ``Viva Valdez,'' ``The Bold 
Ones,'' ``Hunter,'' ``Santa Barbara,'' and the recent and successful 
film ``Sister Act.''
  During more than 40 years in the performing arts, Ms. Zapata has 
enjoyed a highly diversified career as an actress, producer, 
translator, and lecturer/narrator. Ms. Zapata has received many awards 
in appreciation of her contributions in the areas of education, 
community service, and performing arts.
  ``Art is expression,'' Ms. Zapata once said, ``and if you know what 
people feel and think, then you know what people are. And once you 
begin to understand that, we can begin to live together peacefully * * 
*''
  The arts are, above all, about human communication and interaction. I 
am one who believes that Ms. Carmen Zapata has achieved the fullest 
definition of a role model, not only as a woman, a Latina, and an 
artist, but as an ambassador of creativity and goodwill. She has shared 
the beauty of the Spanish language and the written word with our 
multicultural community that is Los Angeles.
  Mr. Speaker, on May 20, 1994, friends and supporters will gather at a 
special dinner to celebrate the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts' 21st 
anniversary. On this same evening, I would like to ask my colleagues to 
join me in saluting an exceptional woman, Carmen Zapata, for her 
outstanding service and many contributions to the arts, to Los Angeles, 
and to all who love the magic and vitality of art.

                          ____________________