[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 64 (Thursday, May 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E780-E781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO DR. MARIA OCHOA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2001

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Maria Ochoa, Ph.D. 
Dr. Ochoa has been director of the Sun Gallery in Hayward, California, 
for five successful years and is leaving to conduct art history 
research. Her exemplary leadership at Sun Gallery will be missed.
  Sun Gallery is a community based gallery that obtains its funding 
through foundation

[[Page E781]]

grants and community support. Through Dr. Ochoa's numerous programs and 
outreach activities Sun Gallery has become a true community based art 
gallery in which individuals feel invested and point to Sun Gallery 
with pride of ownership.
  Dr. Ochoa was hired in April 1996 to serve as the Director of Sun 
Gallery. During her tenure, the growth at Sun Gallery has been 
remarkable. She developed a comprehensive educational program for 
children, increased the Gallery's funding base, brought a wide range of 
internationally and nationally regarded artists to exhibit at the 
gallery, and most importantly, brought the community to Sun Gallery. 
She tripled the number of school children served annually by the 
gallery.
  Sun Gallery's classroom field trip program is now regarded as one of 
the premiere art education programs in the region. Dr. Ochoa also 
developed, in tandem with local artists and teachers, a bronze-casting 
curriculum that is now offered in high schools in Hayward, California.
  Dr. Ochoa has stated that she is quite honored to have been selected 
to bring Sun Gallery into the 21st Century and is deeply humbled to 
have been able to serve the community, while working in a visual arts 
setting.
  We are honored that Dr. Ochoa chose to lead Sun Gallery with her 
energy, commitment and talent. She leaves a legacy and her indelible 
mark on Sun Gallery. I join her friends and admirers in thanking her 
for a job well done.

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