[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THANKING MR. SIDNEY BERGER FOR HIS COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO THE 
                         UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2007

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
the hard work and comnntment that Mr. Sidney Berger has given to my 
alma mater, the University of Houston, for the past 38 years. As the 
director of the University of Houston's Drama Department, he has led 
the department to national acclaim.
  From the time he became chairman of the drama department in 1969, to 
today, the department has grown from a three-person faculty and 30 
students to a faculty of 15 and 300 students. This is an admirable 
accomplishment.
  A significant factor that has shaped this growth has been Mr. 
Berger's central belief that young artists who are developing their 
talents should have the chance to work with great artists. Inspired by 
these beliefs, Mr. Berger founded the Houston Shakespeare Festival in 
1975 and 3 years later co-founded the Children's Theatre Festival. 
Before the two programs were formed, there was no professional outlet 
in which theatre students could polish their skills in the city of 
Houston. Today, students have the opportunity to work with theatre pros 
from across the city, as well as guest artists. Mr. Berger leaves a 
legacy as he steps down as director to teach and head the Shakespeare 
and children's festivals.
  Besides staging one play for each one of these programs each summer, 
and productions in the University of Houston's four show subscription 
season, Mr. Berger founded the Shakespeare Theatre Association of 
America. He teaches a course in ``Acting Shakespeare'' each semester 
and has served several years on the board of the International 
Shakespeare's Globe Center.
  Mr. Berger will be greatly missed and thanks to his success, the next 
director has a steady foundation to build upon. Again, we applaud the 
efforts of Mr. Berger and wish him well in his future endeavors.

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