[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING ``BRAVO SAN DIEGO''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to 
bring to the attention of the Congress an event that symbolizes the 
synergy between the very best of human nature and the very best of 
human ability.
  Too often, Members come to the floor to speak of tragedy, mishap, or 
malady; so much so, that when future generations look back upon us, it 
will appear as if our moment in history was consumed solely by the 
various tempests of our time. It is with this in mind that I bring news 
of an event to be held in my district of San Diego, California which 
celebrates the merger between the business community and the arts 
community, and highlights the philanthropic and community oriented 
nature of my constituency.
  On November 20th, 1999 ``Bravo San Diego'' will being together over 
800 arts, business and civic leaders for an evening of arts, food and 
entertainment. The goal of this event is to raise awareness and funds 
for the Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA), a not-for-profit 
program administered by the Performing Arts League. The BVA provides 
volunteers from the business community to act as private, voluntary 
consultants to arts organizations so they may better abide by business 
protocol and practices, and exact the most efficient use of their 
resources.
  ``Bravo San Diego'' will be hosted by Mr. Earl Holding, the owner of 
the Westgate Hotel, and supported by major sponsorships from Qualcomm, 
Gateway, Sempra and many other philanthropic-minded San Diego 
businesses. Additionally, the program will be coordinated by Mr. Georg 
Hochfilzer of the Westgate and Mr. Rod Appel, producer for the 
Performing Arts League. Representing the largest gathering of arts and 
culture ever in San Diego, ``Bravo San Diego'' will showcase the 
accomplishments and programs of over fifty performing arts 
organizations and seven museums.
  Mr. Speaker, as we pay tribute this month to the impact that arts and 
culture have on each of our lives, it is important that we also 
recognize those persons and organizations who will ensure that these 
vital community needs survive the changing times. Therefore, I extend 
my most sincere congratulations to the BVA, for their good work, and my 
most sincere thank you to the men and women who will make ``Bravo San 
Diego'' a success and example from which the rest of America may learn 
to support their arts and culture.

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