[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 98 (Thursday, July 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMENDING THE SALEM ARTS ASSOCIATION

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                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2004

  Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Salem 
Art Association for its many years of success in promoting the arts in 
Oregon's mid-Willamette Valley.
  This weekend, over 100,000 people from all over Oregon and around the 
country will congregate in Salem's historic Bush Pasture Park for the 
three days of art, food, and music that make up the Salem Art Fair.
  For 85 years, the Salem Art Association has pursued its goal of 
strengthening and promoting art education, art enjoyment, and historic 
preservation in Oregon's capital city of Salem and surrounding 
communities. With a dedicated staff, hard-working volunteers, and a 
strong board providing leadership and support, the Salem Art 
Association has grown into one of the largest community arts 
organizations in the state, and the services they provide to the 
community are both impressive and important.
  In addition to running an art gallery and museum, the organization 
operates the Visual ARTS Center, which offers arts education 
opportunities for all ages, including classes in ceramics, painting, 
drawing, mixed media, crafts and more. The Salem Art Association also 
provides an Arts in Education Program, giving hands-on art 
opportunities for children by bringing the arts to more than 10,000 
students in local schools.
  I have seen the fruits of arts education through my work with the 
Congressional Arts Competition, which I co-chaired last year. Just this 
week I had the pleasure of hosting Ashley Fanning of Dallas, Oregon at 
the Congressional Arts Competition at our nation's Capitol. Ashley, who 
benefitted from her high school's strong arts program, won the 
competition I held in my district earlier this year. Ashley's success 
reminds me that arts education is an integral part of celebrating the 
creative spirit of young adults and helping our children become 
productive citizens.
  The Salem Art Association, its staff, volunteers, and board provides 
the public with an outstanding service. The collective talent, 
dedication, and hard work of this association has played a vital role 
in fostering vibrant, livable communities that celebrate art and 
creativity.




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