[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 144 (Wednesday, September 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ST. PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY AND 
                             SCHUBERT CLUB

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 26, 2007

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the 
City of St. Paul Public Library and Schubert Club for their 125 years 
of service to the community. These two premier cultural institutions 
share a unique, shared history, and on behalf of residents of 
Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District, I offer my congratulations 
on their 125th anniversary and celebration of words and music on 
September 30, 2007.
  Under the leadership of Alexander Ramsey, who had served as mayor, 
Governor, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of War, the city's Library 
Association proposed that St. Paul establish a free public library. The 
city's first public library was opened in September 1882 with a 
collection of 8,051 books. Today, the St. Paul Public Library has 
expanded to 12 branches throughout St. Paul, and a bookmobile. The 
library now offers more than 1 million items in its collection. The 
Central Library in downtown St. Paul features magnificent Italian 
Renaissance architecture, housing approximately 350,000 books and 
drawing more than 300,000 visitors each year. The St. Paul Public 
Library continues to provide vital educational and cultural resources 
and a place for civic engagement for residents of St. Paul.
  During the same year the St. Paul libraries were established, 
Governor Ramsey's daughter, Marion Ramsey Furness, along with her 
music-loving friends, founded a music club. The club later named in 
honor of Franz Schubert continues to thrive as one of the oldest 
musical and arts organizations in the United States. During its 125-
year history, the Schubert Club has promoted the art of music and made 
it accessible to the public through recitals, concerts, a museum and 
educational programs. The Schubert Club has hosted many of the world's 
renowned musicians in St. Paul, including Jascha Heifetz, Myra Hess, 
Artur Rubinstein, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Cecilia Bartoli, Bryn Terfel, 
Vladimir Horowitz, Robert Casadesu, Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma, and Beverly 
Sills, just to name a few.
  Located across Rice Park from each other in downtown St. Paul, the 
Central Library and the Schubert Club continue to serve the public well 
through education, art and culture.
  Madam Speaker, in honor of the 125th anniversary of the St. Paul 
Public Library and the Schubert Club, I am pleased to submit this 
statement for the Congressional Record.

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