[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A PROCLAMATION HONORING THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO LIONEL HAMPTON 
                      INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BILL SALI

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2007

  Mr. SALI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in joining President George W. 
Bush in honoring the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton International 
Jazz Festival. President Bush presented the National Medal of Arts 
award to University of Idaho President Timothy P. White in a White 
House ceremony yesterday.
  The University of Idaho, located in Moscow, Idaho, is the first 
public university to receive this award since it was created by 
Congress in 1984. The award honors one of the Nation's premier jazz 
festivals, named in honor of the late, great jazz musician Lionel 
Hampton. I should note that the University of Idaho holds a special 
place in my heart, as I attended the university's law school, 
graduating in the class of 1984.
  As described by the University of Idaho, ``The festival began in 1967 
and grew in presence and prestige through the decades. In 1985, the 
festival was renamed the Lionel Hampton/Chevron Festival in Mr. 
Hampton's honor and was rededicated as the Lionel Hampton International 
Jazz Festival in 2006. Mr. Hampton died in 2002 at the age of 94.''
  Lionel Hampton's vision of providing opportunities for professional 
musicians to mentor young, aspiring jazz artists has made the festival 
a remarkable success. A festival that began as a 1-day event has now 
evolved into a 4-day event that includes four concerts by professional 
jazz musicians, three student concerts and student performances that 
take place in 20 different locations on the campus and throughout the 
community. The festival also hosts a series of workshops.
  This year's attendance included approximately 10,000 students from 
more than 300 schools, in addition to teachers, parents and local jazz 
enthusiasts. The festival has drawn leading jazz artists from around 
the world, including current director and six-time Grammy-nominated 
artist John Clayton, the late queen of jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, legendary 
trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and renowned jazz innovator Bobby McFerrin, 
among many others. The festival will celebrate its 41st anniversary 
February 20-23 of next year. I urge all my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating University President White, Festival Director Clayton, 
and former festival director Lynn ``Doc'' Skinner in accepting this 
tremendous honor on behalf of the University of Idaho.

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