[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 155 (Monday, October 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. DREW MAYS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SPENCER BACHUS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 15, 2007

  Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commend an individual from 
the District I represent, the Sixth Congressional District of Alabama, 
whose recent achievement in the field of music deserves the accolades 
and esteem of this body.
  On June 3, 2007, Dr. Drew Mays of Birmingham took top honors in the 
world renowned Van Cliburn Foundation International Piano Competition 
for Outstanding Amateurs in Forth Worth, Texas. His winning performance 
in the final round included Beethoven's Sonata in C major, Op. 53 
``Waldstein'' and Liszt's Mephisto Waltz No. 1.
  This event, whose prestigious sponsor has long been recognized 
internationally as a champion of musical excellence, gives its 
participants from around the world an opportunity to compete for top 
honors as amateur pianists. Created in 1999, the Van Cliburn 
Foundation's amateur competition is the most respected amateur piano 
competition in the United States, and was created to ``celebrate the 
amateur spirit.''
  It is remarkable to note that as amateurs, competitors may not derive 
their principal source of income from public performances or piano 
instruction. Therefore, the level of artistic ability and expression is 
reached in tandem with balancing the pressures and concerns of daily 
life. This is an achievement indeed.
  In addition to being a master of the piano, Dr. Mays is an 
ophthalmologist in private practice, specializing in glaucoma. He also 
serves on the staff of Birmingham's VA Medical Center, and serves as 
residency program director for the Department of Ophthalmology at the 
University of Alabama in Birmingham. However, before his medical career 
began, Dr. Mays studied advanced music both at the Manhattan School of 
Music and at the Conservatory of Music in Hannover, Germany. In 1987, 
he earned a master's degree in music from the University of Alabama in 
Tuscaloosa, the same year he began to work on his medical degree.
  What is even more fascinating in my opinion is that Dr. Mays ended 
his musical career when he started medical school, starting a 15-year 
hiatus from playing the piano. Only in 2002 did Dr. Mays start to 
regularly play the instrument again, which culminated with his winning 
the Van Cliburn Foundation competition only 5 short years later.
  In closing, I must remark that Dr. Mays' achievements are a 
realization of his unwavering commitment to the art of musical 
performance. Not only is Dr. Mays now a world renowned pianist 
committed to sharing the gift of music, but he is also a respected 
physician committed to helping patients with the gift of sight. Our 
great Nation should congratulate him on his achievements as one of 
Alabama's finest, and be honored to call him one of our own.

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