[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               GOVERNOR'S ART MEDALLION FOR ART SCHOLARS

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                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 1997

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an exceptional group 
of young individuals from my community who are being awarded the 
Governors Arts Scholars Medallion. This is the highest distinction 
awarded to high school students for their work in the arts. Receipt of 
this award represents a culmination of years of dedication, hard work, 
and a love of the arts.
  The young artists receiving this award are students in the California 
State School for the Arts. This school is made up of 500 students 
recommended by their schools and selected from a rigorous competition. 
The school represents a unique blend of the private and public sectors 
working together and the results over the last decade have been 
fantastic. Through this school's programs, student's natural artistic 
gifts are cultivated by experts in fields ranging from sculpture to 
dance. Students come from across the State and for the month, they 
study together, all geographic, economic, and social barriers are 
brought down and replaced by a mutual love of the arts.
  I would like to recognize the students from my district, Steven 
Goldin, Sharon Fatoorechi, Tiffany Braun, Destiny Wood, Adriana McPhee, 
Sarah Nehamen, Julia Katz, Victoria Keen, Andrasta VanGaea, Kendelle 
Hoyer, Kiwana Johnston, Gena Rabinowitz, Janelle Sutherland, Karen 
Velas, Maureen Shampine, David Guillen, and Javier Serrato. I look 
forward to meeting these young men and women, and enjoying the fruit of 
their talents for years to come.
  The California Summer School for the Arts is an exceptional program 
bringing together professional artists and talented young people into a 
synergistic relationship. The importance of maintaining a thriving 
legacy of art can not be undervalued, as Henry James wrote, ``It is art 
that makes life, makes interest, makes importance, for our 
consideration and application of these things, and I know of no 
substitute whatever for the force and beauty of its process.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to represent such outstanding young 
people, as they are truly the future of this great nation.

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