[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF TOM SALOPEK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 17, 1998

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tom Salopek, who was 
recently chosen to serve as Guest Conductor for the 1998 Junior 
Tamburitzan Festival. Tom's selection is yet another sweet note in a 
career marked by his love for the tambura.
  A member of the Zagreb Junior Tamburitzans at the age of nine, Tom 
was something of a music prodigy. In fulfillment of this promise, he 
would later become Assistant Musical Director of AZJT from 1979-1980 
and then Musical Director from 1987-1991. In 1992, Tom was named the 
tambura instructor and musical director of Cleveland Junior 
Tamburitzans, a position he still holds.
  A dedicated musician with an unyielding and untiring vision as to his 
artform, Tom inspires the respect of his pupils with his dedication, 
spending long hours searching for and arranging the group's music. His 
appointment as Guest Conductor is a recognition of this dedication to 
craft.
  Tom's passion for tambura is hardly surprising when one considers his 
roots in the Croatian community. Tom's parents, Peter and Kay, 
encouraged their children's interest in Croatian tambura, becoming 
actively involved in their group. To this day, Tom remains close to his 
roots, living in Cleveland's ``Old World'' East 185th neighborhood.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in congratulating Tom Salopek on 
his appointment as Guest Conductor at the 1998 Junior Tamburitzan 
Festival. Let his sweet music continue for years to come.

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