[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 60 (Monday, April 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E736-E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF LUIS VALDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Luis Valdez of San 
Juan Bautista, California, who will be inducted into the College of 
Fellows of the American Theatre on April 22 at the Kennedy Center for 
the Performing Arts here in Washington, DC. The 124 current members 
include playwright Edward Albee and Broadway director Jack O'Brien. 
Like those before him, Luis is to be honored for his contribution to 
American theater.
  His has been a ``career of firsts.'' His play ``Zoot Suit'' was the 
first play written by a Chicano to be produced on Broadway. His movie 
``La Bamba,'' about the life of the 1950's rock 'n' roll star Ritchie 
Valens, won popular acclaim, and was the first film written and 
directed by a Chicano that was produced by a major motion picture 
company.
  As a child, Luis emigrated from Mexico with his family and became a 
migrant farm worker. In 1965, he founded El Teatro Campesino, which 
means ``The Farm Worker's Theater.'' He chose to create this theater in 
rural San Juan Bautista instead of moving to a big city in order to 
stay in touch with his roots and remain a true theater of farm workers.
  Luis has three sons, all of whom are involved in the arts. ``I have 
to stress the importance of family in my life,'' he said. He has won 
several awards, including the Presidential Medal of the Arts from the 
White House, but says, ``I'm proudest of my family. I consider myself 
to be quite blessed in that regard.''
  Luis believes that art should have a message, and inspiring people to 
make changes in their lives has been one of his main goals in the 
theater. He recently produced a play for the Monterey Bay Aquarium 
about the dangers of pollution.
  Madam Speaker, it is a tremendous honor for a national organization 
of any kind to seek out a resident of a small town for their highest 
award. Luis Valdez came from humble beginnings, and in spite of his 
remarkable accomplishments, he remains a humble man. I am proud to 
congratulate Luis on his election to the College of Fellows of the 
American Theatre.

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