[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE BIXBY MARIONETTE EXHIBIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE STABENOW

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, starting on Sunday, October 18th, the 
Bixby Marionette Exhibit opened its permanent home in Saline, Michigan 
at the Saline Culture and Commerce Center.
  The exhibit will showcase more than 100 marionettes created by 89-
year-old Meredith Bixby who is the founding member of the Puppeteers of 
America, and a member of the Detroit Puppeteers Guild.
  As a lifelong resident of Saline, Mr. Bixby, who is known as the 
``Master of the Marionettes,'' traveled throughout the United States 
with the Meredith Marionettes Touring Company for more than 40 years, 
beginning his career during the darkest days of the depression and 
continuing until his retirement in 1982.
  This exhibit came together through a partnership created by the 
Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Council for Arts and 
Cultural Affairs, and the City of Saline, who helped champion the Bixby 
project.
  I am pleased to help showcase the work of this extraordinary man who 
helped bring joy, creativity, and entertainment to schools, theaters 
and community centers across the country. I wish him the very best in 
the future and thank all parties for helping to establish this 
important cultural project.

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