[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO DENISE NELSON NASH, 27TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF 
                             THE YEAR--2002

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Women's History Month. 
Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and sacrifices 
made by our nation's most notable women during the month of March and 
it is my honor to not only recognize women of the past but to also 
recognize women who are making a difference in my community. While a 
month of remembrance is certainly not sufficient, I am honored today to 
pay homage to such women as Eleanor Roosevelt, Sandra Day O'Connor, 
Harriet Tubman, Sally Ride and all the women of my Congressional 
District, whose contributions have made a profound difference in the 
face and fabric of our nation.
  I stand today, to recognize an outstanding woman of California's 27th 
Congressional District, Ms. Denise Nelson Nash. Ms. Nash's passion for 
community and especially the arts has made the City of Pasadena and 
surrounding areas, a more rich and vital environment in which to live.
  Ms. Nash is a graduate of Scripps College and earned her Masters of 
Fine Arts from the University of Michigan. She began her professional 
career as a professor and has since taught at Delta College, Illinois 
Wesleyan University, and Borough Manhattan Community College. Noted for 
her passion and ability as a teacher, she was invited to be director of 
the contemporary dance program at the Instituto de Danza in Caracas, 
Venezuela.
  A strong advocate of the arts and especially arts education, Ms. Nash 
was the director of the Plaza de la Raza School of Performing and 
Visual Arts in East Los Angeles and in 1985 founded Bottom Line Dance 
Collective, a nonprofit organization providing creative opportunities 
for young people throughout the Los Angeles area.
  For six years, Denise served as the Director of the Arts for the City 
of Pasadena. In this capacity she provided leadership for the Public 
Art Program, arts education programs in the city's schools, community 
arts programs, and special projects including the Pasadena Emmy 
Celebration and HBO Pictures Production ``The Tuskegee Airmen.'' 
Currently, Denise serves as the Director of the Office of Public Events 
for the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
  Throughout her career, Denise has focused on using her position to 
enhance opportunities for others. As an advocate of the arts and 
community events, she has opened a realm of possibilities to young and 
old alike and has created an environment in which art is appreciated, 
respected and loved.
  I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in honoring an 
outstanding and extraordinary woman of California's 27th Congressional 
District, Ms. Denise Nelson Nash. The entire community joins me in 
thanking Denise for her continued efforts to make the 27th 
Congressional District a more vibrant and enjoyable place to live.

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