[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       QUEENS THEATRE WILL PRESENT THE THIRD LATINO ARTS FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 1999

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, this summer Queens Theatre in the Park will 
present the 3rd Latino Arts Festival to celebrate the contributions of 
Latino and Latin American artists to the cultural life of Queens and 
the greater New York metropolitan area. The Festival features a 
combination of large and small music, theatre, film, dance, children's 
productions, and visual art exhibitions. Since its modest beginning as 
a cabaret series with one headliner, the Festival has quickly grown to 
be one of the major cultural attractions for Latinos in the Northeast.
  Latinos represent the fastest growing segment of the population in 
Queens. In response to this changing demographic, the Theatre has made 
a strong commitment to involving the Latino community in its programs 
and services. The Festival targets its audience during the summer 
months when Latinos make up 96% of the 3 million people using Flushing 
Meadows Corona Park.
  During its first 2 years, the Festival's audience nearly tripled. 
This summer, the Theatre expects to increase this number to at least 
10,000 with a goal of 15,000.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish Queens Theatre in the Park and the 1999 Latino 
Arts Festival the best of luck. I urge anybody in the New York 
metropolitan area these next couple of weeks to get out to Queens and 
experience this celebration of Latino culture.




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