[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO CELEBRATE NEW HAMPSHIRE CULTURE

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to 
honor Celebrate New Hampshire Culture, a nonprofit organization formed 
by the New Hampshire Commission on the Smithsonian Folklife Festival 
that works in partnership with the New Hampshire State Council on the 
Arts and the Department of Cultural Resources.
  I commend the many dedicated volunteers and participants from my 
State for their hard work in planning, organizing, and demonstrating 
our New Hampshire culture through the exhibits for this year's 
Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
  Since being elected to Congress 15 years ago, I have had the pleasure 
of sharing with my fellow Members of Congress why I believe New 
Hampshire is such a special place in which to live. I am extremely 
proud that they, and countless others, will now have the opportunity to 
experience firsthand all the wonderful things New Hampshire has to 
offer.
  In 1994, Mervin Stevens of Walpole began working towards New 
Hampshire's participation after attending the festival over the years. 
Curators Lynn Martin and Betty Beland have made Mervin's dream a 
reality. These two women, along with many volunteers, have worked 
tirelessly for months to make sure that the more than 1 million 
visitors to the Folklife Festival on the Mall this week will have a 
meaningful and memorable experience.
  New Hampshire's diversity, vibrancy, and entrepreneurship will be 
portrayed through several themes: Music of New Hampshire; Town and 
Community; Ingenuity and Enterprise; Seasons of Work and Recreation; 
and Farm, Forests, Mountains, and Sea. The themes and displays will be 
enhanced through several hands-on examples of living traditions. These 
exhibits include a 35-foot-long by 15-foot-high covered bridge, a 
timber-framed barn, a wrought-iron archway, and granite walls.
  There will also be two music stages set up. One will be a replica of 
a town hall and the other of a New England front porch with rocking 
chairs and benches. These fascinating displays of New Hampshire culture 
will be celebrated in three ways: First, at this summer's Smithsonian 
festival. Next, a reenactment will take place next summer during 
Festival New Hampshire at the Hopkinton State Fairgrounds in 
Contoocook. Finally, an educational program for schools and communities 
will be based on the extensive research of culture needed to launch the 
festival.
  Mr. President, I wish to offer my most sincere congratulations to 
Celebrate New Hampshire Culture and the countless volunteers. Their 
hard work and dedication will now help show the world what makes New 
Hampshire the greatest State in America. It is an honor to represent 
Celebrate New Hampshire Culture and all the people of New Hampshire in 
the Senate.

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