[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 121 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1704-E1705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING EVA FRANCHI--WIFE OF THE LATE SERGIO FRANCHI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB SIMMONS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a member of my 
community and a revered member of the community of music lovers around 
the world. I honor Eva Franchi for keeping alive the memory and 
tradition of her late, great husband, Sergio Franchi and I honor her 
for her work on behalf of aspiring musicians through the Sergio Franchi 
Music Scholarship Foundation.
  Sergio Franchi was one of the greatest romantic, popular tenors of 
the 20th Century. This, the 10th anniversary of the memorial concert, 
fulfills a dream of Eva Franchi's--the dream for romantic classical 
music to live on through future young tenors and sopranos, so that 
through them, the memories and music of Sergio can live on.

[[Page E1705]]

  Over the years, I have attended this wonderful concert many times. I 
am honored to have Sergio Franchi's memory preserved in my own 
community of Stonington, Connecticut. Sergio was, and Eva continues to 
be, a dedicated supporter of the arts. This foundation has been 
established to continue the dream Sergio had--that is to help fund 
talented and deserving musicians.
  In the 10 years since the foundation's inception, Eva has been able 
to award more than 120 scholarships and awards to students of vocal 
studies, young tenors and sopranos, with the hope that through 
beautiful, romantic classical music, Sergio's spirit may be kept alive.
  The great Scottish historian and essayist Thomas Carlyle wrote, 
``Music is well said to be the speech of angels.''
  Sergio Franchi was born with the gift of music and those of us who 
have heard him sing know very well what Mr. Carlyle was referring to.
  Mr. Speaker, Eva Franchi lives by the commitment of her husband to 
promote and foster a love of music through young voices of the future. 
On behalf of the rest of my staff, I wish to express our gratitude to 
Mrs. Eva Franchi for her devotion to the arts and for her dedication to 
preserving the memory of her husband through the Sergio Franchi Music 
Scholarship Foundation.
  Eva, speaking for all members of Congress, we thank you for your 
service to our community, and thank you for your service and dedication 
to the classical musicians of the future.

                          ____________________