[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE ARTS & EDUCATION CENTER OF GREATER MIDDLESEX COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 26, 2003

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Arts Advocacy Week 
to recognize an organization in my district that works to encourage 
arts appreciation and education among children in Central New Jersey.
  The Arts and Education Center of Greater Middlesex County is 
committed to enriching the artistic and cultural lives of youths, 
especially adolescents, through its wide range of innovative arts 
education programs. To successfully fulfill this mission the Center 
encourages close cooperation with local community groups and area 
businesses to advance established programs and foster new and creative 
arts programming.
  The Arts and Education Center was established in 1969 and was tasked 
with meeting the distinctive artistic and cultural needs of the diverse 
residents of Central New Jersey. The Center has served as a cultural 
pioneer and has successfully administered a series of programs that 
have provided a much-needed outlet for a blossoming local artistic 
community.
  In 1979, the Center established a county-level program that, to this 
date, allows talented adolescents to attend accredited arts study 
classes during regular school hours, The Middlesex County Arts High and 
Middle School provides talented students with an accelerated program of 
quality arts education. It provides students with the opportunity to 
work in a stimulating environment under direction of master artists, 
alongside talented students from around the country. The program works 
in unison with the local school district and provides a unique 
opportunity for students to expand their artistic study beyond the 
classroom.
  Mr. Speaker, our nation's educators agree that arts education has a 
tremendous impact on the developmental growth of our children. Artistic 
study has been proven to help level the ``learning field'' across 
socio-economic borders and many believe that artistic study can deter 
delinquent behavior and increase overall academic performance. The 
study of the arts is an important aspect of general education that 
should not be overlooked and it is critical that we continue to support 
arts education in our schools and in our local communities.
  I urge my colleagues to join with me to commemorate Arts Advocacy 
Week and continue to recognize The Arts and Education Center and other 
organizations that are committed to broadening the artistic and 
cultural horizons of our Nation's youth.

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