[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CARMEN ZAPATA

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 2003

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Carmen 
Zapata--a visionary Latina whose influence is felt in every aspect of 
the arts.
  As one of the first Latinas to perform on Broadway, Carmen Zapata is 
an artistic innovator. An actress, producer and proponent of Spanish 
and English bilingual theatre, she has changed the face of culture in 
Southern California.
  A leader in the Latino and arts communities, Carmen Zapata's passion 
for theatre led her to co-found the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts. 
As president and producing director for this Los Angeles-based non-
profit, she has helped produce over eighty bilingual plays across the 
State of California and abroad.
  The Bilingual Foundation of the Arts has brought theatre and 
entertainment into inner-city schools in my district and the greater 
Los Angeles region, exposing students to a new creative outlet, and 
providing a pipeline for young Latino talent.
  Ms. Zapata's dedication to the Latino community has also led her to 
share her knowledge and experience in teaching the craft of acting and 
production at area theatre programs.
  Furthermore, she has served on the board of a variety of civic 
organizations, including the United Way, the Mexican American 
Opportunity Foundation, the KCET Community Advisory Board, and the City 
of Los Angeles Mayor's Committee on the Arts.
  Ms. Zapata is also a leader in the international Latino arts 
community. An honored translator of Spanish plays, she has been 
knighted by his Majesty Juan Carlos of Spain for her contributions to 
Spanish language and culture. In addition, she continues to shape 
Latino arts and entertainment and the next generation of Latinos with 
her popular PBS children's program, ``Villa Allegre.''
  For these achievements, it is my great pleasure to recognize Carmen 
Zapata's contributions as the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honors her 
with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  On behalf of Latinos everywhere, I congratulate Carmen Zapata and 
thank her for her dedication to giving Latinos a voice in the arts.

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