[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REMEMBERING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN AUTHOR F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

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                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 1996

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the centennial 
celebration of the birth of an extraordinary Minnesotan, author F. 
Scott Fitzgerald. I am proud to say that Mr. Fitzgerald was not only a 
native Minnesotan, but he hailed from my home city of St. Paul, MN. 
Regarded by many as one of this Nation's all-time great novelists, the 
young author contributed short stories and novels with a distinctly 
American cultural view to a captivated American readership. His most 
famous work, ``The Great Gatsby,'' today remains a widely read classic 
in literature classes across the United States.
  F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul in 1896, and during the week 
of September 23, 1996, the city will be hosting a festival in honor of 
the 100th anniversary of that occasion. The Festival Committee has 
planned many events highlighting the literary contributions made by the 
author during his lifetime. Included in the schedule of events are 
readings of his works and a literature festival focused on educating 
high school students. A statue honoring the author will also be 
unveiled and placed in downtown St. Paul near a revamped theater also 
named after the author this past year.
  The Nation was fortunate to savor the special stories of this most 
talented individual, whose works leave an important legacy for us and 
for our children. I'm sure my colleagues will join me in paying tribute 
to the literary accomplishments of this fine American author, and I 
join the Nation in applauding the literary classics page of history 
devoted to St. Paulite F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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