[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 97 (Wednesday, July 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1287-E1288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              SUMMER MUSIC

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 17, 2002

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, this evening, July 17th, Mark Damisch, the 
Mayor of Northbrook, Illinois will preview the classical piano program 
he will take on the road to Europe late this summer. I want to 
congratulate this accomplished pianist as he celebrates his 42nd year 
of performing. While many in Northbrook and throughout the Chicagoland 
area know him as a prominent civic leader as demonstrated through his 
service as the mayor of Northbrook and his work with the Metropolitan 
Mayor's Caucus, he has been participating in good will cultural events 
throughout the world for almost 30 years.
  In March 1974, while on a New Trier High School Choir tour of Europe 
where the choir performed with the Vienna Boys Choir, Mark arranged, 
promoted and played a series of Concerts in Eastern Europe, Western 
Europe and the Soviet Union. In 1977, Mark returned to the stage to 
perform in a seven week tour around the world. He performed concerts in 
Washington, D.C., Keflavik, Iceland, Oxford, England, Oslo, Norway, 
Hannover, Germany, Tokyo, Japan, Mondorf, Luxembourg and Honolulu, 
Hawaii. The Tour was recognized by President Jimmy Carter, Illinois 
Governor James Thompson and Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic. All of the 
concerts were dedicated to forging better relations between the United 
States and citizens in the host countries.

[[Page E1288]]

  This summer's tour will consist of twenty-five concerts performed in 
42 days, including tonight's engagement at the Chicago Theater as well 
as two concerts sponsored by the International Music Foundation and a 
sold out performance at the North Shore Senior Center in Northfield.
  Mark Damisch is an accomplished and talented musician as well as a 
thoughtful and respected leader in his community. I commend him on 
bringing his talents beyond our Chicagoland borders and working with 
others throughout the world in promoting his love of music. I look 
forward to continued work with my friend Mark Damisch, and express our 
community's best wishes for a successful summer of music.

                          ____________________