[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SAN CARLOS PTA CELEBRATES THE 34TH BIENNIAL CHICKENS' BALL 2006

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2006

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to honor the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the San Carlos School 
District, located in my Congressional District, as well as the 34th 
Anniversary of its historic and infamous Chickens' Ball. This biennial 
event has helped to raise money for San Carlos' public schools as well 
as create ties within the community for the past 66 years.
  This creative means of raising funds was first proposed by middle 
school teacher and PTA member, Howard J. Demeke, in 1939. Mr. Demeke 
himself was a regular patron of the historic San Francisco Barbary 
Coast Chickens' Ball, a live-entertainment show performed by women of a 
certain reputation in various saloons. This philanthropy-oriented event 
had been around since the early 1900s and included a contest of various 
colorful and riotous acts. The winner of the best act was awarded 
amounts of gold to then be donated to a designated charity.
  Under Mr. Demeke' s request to the San Carlos PTA, the Chickens' Ball 
left the swanky scene of the saloon and was reborn in San Carlos for 
the purpose of raising money for the school district's milk funds. 
Members of the PTA, local clubs and members of the community joined 
together to plan comedy and entertainment skits, each competing for a 
large sum of donated money. The ball was an enormous success and has 
continued to be for the past six decades with all proceeds directly 
benefiting the schools of San Carlos.
  I personally had the pleasure of attending the 34th Biennial San 
Carlos Chickens' Ball this year, with my lovely wife Annette. As we 
discovered, the Chickens' Ball requires the attention and participation 
of the audience, making each second at the show memorable. I 
congratulate each act unequivocally for the brave hilarity exhibited on 
stage by each performer.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting and congratulating the 
outstanding Parent-Teacher Association of the San Carlos School 
District, for their dedication to our community and the quality of 
education for our children, through the most creative Chickens' Ball.

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