[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF LEE FOSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2008

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise this evening to praise and thank 
the dynamic, effervescent and talented Lee Foster for her service to 
the community and congratulate her on winning Hillbarn Theater's 
highest honor, the Bravo! Award.
  Madam Speaker, there are few areas of this country with a finer 
performing arts tradition than the San Francisco Bay Area. With top-
notch professional theaters, operas, symphonies and dance companies, 
not to mention first-rate venues for live music and comedy, Northern 
Californians have a phenomenal choice for live entertainment. In this 
competitive, excellence-driven market, it is remarkable that a 
community organization like Foster City's Hillbarn Theater can not only 
survive, but thrive.
  Much of the credit for this is attributable to Lee Foster. Just ten 
years ago, Hillbarn was in dire straits. Faced with a debt in the 
hundreds of thousands of dollars, a dwindling audience and a roof the 
fire chief said wouldn't support his crew in the event of a fire, this 
proud institution, that entertained my family and thousands of others 
for more than a generation, was about to close its doors.
  When Lee took the helm as Executive Director, she set four goals: 
Hire a top notch Artistic Director, create new and strengthen existing 
relationships with local communities, build a sound financial 
foundation and most urgently, repair the roof.
  With the help of volunteers and a committed Board of Directors, Lee 
accomplished her goals. And in the process, Madam Speaker, she made the 
12th Congressional District of California even more inviting than it 
was when she started.
  On top of her remarkable management and fundraising skills, Lee is 
also a many-faceted and inspiring performer. I have been fortunate to 
be in her audience for numerous productions and Lee has never been 
short of amazing.
  Lee's hard and selfless work has led to hundreds of opportunities for 
local actors, singers, dancers, set constructors, lighting and sound 
techs, and all the other volunteers who make community theater 
possible. Without Lee Foster, my blessed, beautiful and entertaining 
district would be a little less beautiful and entertaining.

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