[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE IN NEW MEXICO

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to commend a friend, 
Val Diker, for her unflagging efforts in support of the National Dance 
Institute in New Mexico. As many of my colleagues know, the NDI was 
founded by the renowned dancer, Jacques d'Amboise, to introduce school 
children to dance. His dream has been extremely successful in New 
Mexico in the eight years since it was started here. This year alone 
there are 2400 students in 32 schools involved in the program.
  This weekend, five hundred of these students will appear on the stage 
of the newly-refurbished, historic Lensic Theatre to honor the program 
and Val Diker, the Founding Chairman. Making our state her ``second 
home,'' Val is a leading contributor with her time, talent and treasure 
to institutions New Mexicans love. Her leadership in NDI, however, is 
particularly appreciated by all who value those who give and do so much 
to help children. Val has made a difference in lives of children she'll 
never see, and for that she deserves our heartfelt thanks. She, and 
this wonderful institute, certainly have mine.

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