[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 88 (Monday, June 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                TRIBUTE TO THE BRONX COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 16, 2003

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great joy that I rise today to 
pay tribute to the Bronx Council on the Arts, which is currently 
celebrating its 40th anniversary. Recognized nationally as a leading 
arts service organization, providing cultural services and arts 
programs, BCA serves a multicultural constituency in excess of 1.2 
million residents.
  The Bronx Council on the Arts was founded in 1962 with the mission of 
encouraging and increasing the public's awareness and participation in 
the arts, and to nurture the development of artists, arts and cultural 
organizations. Indeed, throughout its 40 years of service BCA has 
accomplished its stated mission.
  In April of 2000, The Bronx Council on the Arts received the 
Governor's Arts Award for its contributions to the burgeoning artistic 
panorama of the Bronx. They joined the ranks of Peter Martins of the 
New York City Ballet, filmmakers Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, 
photographer Cindy Sherman and many other celebrated artists and art 
institutions.
  The Bronx Council on the Arts serves more than 250 arts and community 
organizations and 5,000 artists. Through its various grant programs and 
services, BCA has given over $1 million to individual artists and arts 
organizations in order to support literary, media, performing and 
visual arts projects. In addition, BCA coordinates arts and education 
services in public schools throughout the Bronx.
  Mr. Speaker, the Bronx Council on the Arts is truly a Miracle in the 
Bronx. Bill Aguado, the Executive Director, put it best when he stated: 
``This isn't supposed to be happening in the Bronx or anywhere else for 
that matter. Poverty, crime, drugs--those are expected, but to pick up 
a paint brush, raise a voice in song, fill a page with words or lift a 
foot to dance and say, `I am a Bronx artist,' seemed absurd. Things 
have changed a lot.''
  For the rich contributions this organization has made not only to the 
Bronx but also to the world of art, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating the Bronx Council on the Arts' 40th birthday.

                          ____________________