[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 109 (Tuesday, September 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1758-E1759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE TO ARCHITECT FRANK GEHRY'S WALT DISNEY CONCERT 
    HALL ON THE OCCASION OF THE HALL'S INCLUSION IN THE U.S. POSTAL 
        SERVICE'S 2005 MASTERWORKS OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE SERIES

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2005

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate famed 
architect Frank Gehry for having his building, the Walt Disney Concert 
Hall, included in the U.S. Postal Service's 2005 Masterworks of Modern 
Architecture series. The hall is one of 12 modern structures in the 
nation--and the only one on the West Coast--featured in the postal 
stamp collection now on sale at post offices throughout the country.
  As part of this series, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is among a 
distinguished collection that includes the Guggenheim Museum in New 
York City, the Hancock Center tower in Chicago and the East Building of 
the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
  Located in my congressional district in downtown Los Angeles, the 
Walt Disney Concert Hall draws national attention to Los Angeles and 
serves as the centerpiece of downtown's successful revitalization that 
includes showcasing the area's diverse artistic and cultural offerings.
  Occupying a full city block on the historic Bunker Hill, the concert 
hall serves most notably as the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic 
and its 3.6 acre site also includes California's smallest state park. 
Traveling at the intersection of First Street and Grand Avenue, 
passersby quickly take notice of Mr. Gehry's stunning design. The 
hall's bold eye-catching exterior is comprised of enormous curves made 
of stainless steel. Its expansive transparent doors and windows stretch 
along Grand Avenue and welcome the public to come inside. A futuristic-
style external aerial walkway begins on Grand Avenue, and lifts 
visitors up and across the front of the venue, offering views of City 
Hall and beyond, and eventually winding around to the garden level on 
the other side of the building.
  The interior of the hall is just as original. Acoustically designed 
by the world-renowned Yasuhisa Toyota, the hardwood-paneled main 
auditorium is lauded as state of the art. Even the seating arrangement 
is insightful. Theatergoers are seated on all sides of the orchestra 
and the absence of private boxes--common in most concert halls--adds a 
unique element to the experience.
  The history of the origin of this national landmark is as 
inspirational as Mr. Gehry's creative genius. In 1987, Walt Disney's 
widow Lillian Disney gave a $50 million gift to the community to build 
the concert hall as a way of paying tribute to her late husband's 
lifelong commitment to the arts.
  Sixteen years later, when the building opened its doors in 2003, the 
completed Walt Disney Concert Hall stood as a proud collaboration of 
effort, talent and vision. There are many to thank for helping to make 
the Walt Disney Concert Hall a reality, including, but not limited to, 
the ironworkers who built the hall's exterior and the many financial 
sponsors who worked with The Music Center, the Los Angeles Philharmonic 
Association, the County of Los Angeles and the Disney family to obtain 
the funding needed to complete the project.
  It is truly because of their devotion and hard work that so many 
visitors from all over the world have had the opportunity to enjoy Mr. 
Gehry's architectural masterpiece that stands today.
  On behalf of all Angelenos, I congratulate Mr. Gehry for being 
recognized in this special way by the U.S. Postal Service and, above 
all, I thank him for giving Los Angeles a cultural and architectural 
jewel that will surely be enjoyed for generations to come.

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