[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 45 (Monday, April 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE VATICAN EXHIBIT FOUNDATION

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                           HON. LARRY COMBEST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 22, 2002

  Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Father Malcolm 
Neyland and the Vatican Exhibit Foundation, Mr. Gary Edson and the 
Museum at Texas Tech University, and the countless local and community 
leaders who have made the distant dream of the Vatican Exhibit 2002 
become a reality. Because of their dedication and relentless efforts, a 
priceless collection of frescoes will be transported from the Vatican 
Museum in Rome, to the Museum of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, 
Texas.
  Preparations for this exhibit began over fourteen years ago. Father 
Neyland made a series of trips to the Vatican City and after continuous 
hard work, he successfully convinced Vatican Museum officials to allow 
the frescoes to be exhibited in Lubbock. Since that time, he and many 
others have spent literally years making arrangements for this 
historical exhibit.
  The Vatican Exhibit will open on June 2, 2002 and will continue until 
September 15th. The exhibit features 31 medieval frescoes created by 
master painters of the Roman School during the 12th and 13th centuries. 
The frescoes originally adorned the walls of the Basilica of St. Agnese 
and St. Nicola. As the church was renovated throughout the years, the 
frescoes were removed and placed in storage in the Vatican. They were 
recently removed from storage and restored to their original 
brilliance. This will be the first time the frescoes have left Rome 
and, once this exhibit is over, they will be returned directly to the 
Vatican Museums. In addition to the frescoes, the exhibit will feature 
other rare art from museums in Texas and paintings, sculptures and 
religious artifacts from the Museo Franz Mayer, the Biblioteca, and the 
Condumex in Mexico City. This is an unprecedented opportunity for 
Americans to view a variety of artifacts that have contributed to the 
shaping of our society and the formation of Christian beliefs.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and pleasure today to express my 
thanks to the Vatican Exhibit Foundation and the many community leaders 
whose efforts brought this amazing exhibit to West Texas and the rest 
of America. Thanks to these individuals, thousands of people will now 
have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience magnificent 
artwork from the Vatican Museum.

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