[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE CENTRAL BRANCH OF THE ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY

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                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2005

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Central 
Branch of the St. Louis Public Library. I am extremely honored to 
commend them for being recognized as one of the 12 most beautiful and 
historic libraries in the world. They further hold the distinction as 
being only one of three U.S. libraries chosen for this honor.
  The Central Library building is one of St. Louis's architectural 
treasures. Architect Cass Gilbert who was the architect for the Saint 
Louis Art Museum, the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC, 
and the Woolworth Building in New York City was selected to design the 
building, which opened in 1912.
  The Central Branch occupies one city block and features beautiful 
stained glass windows, hand-stenciled ceilings and glass floors. The 
exterior of the building is granite with marble panels and relief 
carvings, decorative medallions, notable authors and inspirational 
inscriptions. The Periodical Room's carved ceiling is adapted from 
Michelangelo's design for the ceiling of the Laurentian Library in 
Florence and boasts more than 800 current magazines and newspapers.
  While an architectural marvel, the library also assists the community 
with bridging the link between all cultures and nationalities by 
providing special services to Bosnian, African, Hispanic, German and 
Asian members of the community through extensive access to books and 
films in their own language. The Library is also involved in community 
outreach efforts providing book services to day care and senior 
centers. It also provides the gift of reading to those who are home-
bound by operating bookmobiles and sending books through the mail.
  Mr. Speaker, the Central Branch of the St. Louis Public Library has 
been recognized for its historic beauty and architectural wonder, and 
its commitment to serving an ever changing landscape of cultures and 
nationalities; it deserves to be honored for its vital role in 
educating the leaders of tomorrow.

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