[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 143 (Tuesday, September 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF THE CARMEL WRITERS FESTIVAL

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the inaugural Writer's 
Festival in my hometown of Carmel, California. As co-chair of the 
Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, I would like to commend the 
organizers, Jim and Cindy McGillen, for their efforts to initiate the 
first ever Carmel Authors & Ideas Festival, which will take place at 
the Sunset Center in Carmel on September 28-30 this year.
  Inspired by the Sun Valley Writers' Conference, the format of the 
festival is to be a combination of talks by well-known authors and 
break-out sessions with lesser-known writers, allowing attendees to 
interact with them on an informal basis. The first line-up of authors 
includes Frank McCourt, ``Angela's Ashes''; Doris Kearns Goodwin, 
historian; John Grogan, ``Marley and Me''; Douglas Brinkley, editor of 
``The Regan Diaries''; Seymour Hersh, investigative reporter; Irshad 
Manji, critic of radical Islam; and Elizabeth Edwards, ``Saving 
Graces.'' In all, 25 award winning authors will be present, including 
Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winners, and New York Times Best 
Sellers.
  Carmel Mayor Sue McCloud said of the festival, ``It's certainly in 
keeping with our history as a writers' haven and artists' haven.'' 
Boutique conferences like this one are a good match for the community 
which is known for its non-traditional approach to literature and 
poetry. McGillen has sought out authors who are interesting, 
compelling, and entertaining.
  Madam Speaker, this festival promises to be an exciting new addition 
to the lineup of high quality cultural events enjoyed year-round in 
California's 17th District, and I am proud to represent them in the 
U.S. Congress.




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