[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 89 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING MILAN OPACICH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend one of 
Northwest Indiana's most distinguished citizens, Milan Opacich, of 
Schererville, Indiana. Milan is one of twelve exemplary master folk and 
traditional artists chosen to receive the 2004 National Heritage 
Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. On Thursday, 
September 30, 2004, he will be honored by the United States Government 
for his artistic excellence and his contributions to the art field. 
Milan's praiseworthy contributions will be recognized in Washington, 
D.C., at an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill.
  Since 1982, the Endowment has awarded more than 282 National Heritage 
Fellowships. Recipients include bluesman B.B. King, Irish step dancer 
Michael Flately, and acclaimed performers Shirley Caesar, Doc Watson, 
and Bill Monroe. Recipients are nominated, often by members of their 
own communities, and then judged by a panel on the basis of their 
continuing artistic accomplishments and contributions as practitioners 
or teachers. Milan was chosen for his expertise and commitment to 
passing on his skills and cultural traditions to a new generation. I 
can truly say that Milan is a dedicated, distinguished and committed 
citizen. I have known him for many years and consider him a close 
personal friend.
  Milan was born and raised in Gary, Indiana by a Croatian mother and a 
Serbian father. He became interested in string music at the age of 
four, and at the age of fourteen he began playing country music. At the 
age of eighteen he took up tamburitza music. After high school, Milan 
became a journeyman tool and die maker, honing the skills he used to 
build the tamburitza, a stringed instrument resembling the mandolin. He 
built instruments for himself, family, and friends; he also played in 
one of several orchestras.
  In 1958 Milan joined the Gary Fire Department. He set up a small 
workshop in the basement of the firehouse to continue making his 
instruments during down times. When he wasn't fighting fires, Milan was 
in the basement of the firehouse making instruments. He worked for the 
Gary Fire Department for 20 years, retiring 26 years ago. Milan now 
resides in Schererville, Indiana. He has converted his garage into a 
workshop similar to a museum of musical instruments. He has several 
pictures highlighting the different bands he has played with over the 
years, most recently the Drina Tamburitza Orchestra. Today he is 
recognized as this Nation's premiere tamburitza maker. His instruments 
have been exhibited at both the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian 
Institution and at the Roy Acuff Museum. In 2002, he was named to the 
Tamburitza Association of America Hall of Fame.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending Milan Opacich for his outstanding contributions to the 
arts. His family and friends should be proud of his accomplishments. I 
ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending 
Milan Opacich for his lifetime of remarkable accomplishments and 
enduring service.

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