[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO FRANCESC DE PAULA SOLER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. SERRANO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to once again pay tribute to Francesc de Paula Soler, a gifted 
and world-renowned musician.
  Mr. Soler grew up in Spain and comes from a Catalan family of well-
known artists. He began studying the guitar at the age of 6 and was 
completely immersed in it by age 11, earning the highest honors in the 
prestigious Conservatorio Superior de Musica in Barcelona, Spain. Mr. 
Soler received rigorous training from legendary guitarists Andres 
Segovia, known as the ``Father of Classical Guitar'', and Narciso 
Yepes.
  Mr. Soler has become a legend in his own right due to his unique 
skills in conveying emotions through the strings of his guitar. Mr. 
Soler has performed in music halls and auditoriums throughout the 
United States and Europe for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. 
Some of the venues include the Library of Congress, the Levine School 
of Music and the Acheson Auditorium at the United States Department of 
State.
  Commonly known as the ``Poet of the Guitar,'' Mr. Soler has received 
numerous awards and recognitions, including: Honorary Citizen of 
Dallas, Honorary Citizen of Corpus Christi, Golden Key of the Corpus 
Christi City, Medal of the U.S. Military Academy and the Plaque of the 
Catalan Catholic Church Council.
  In commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month and the positive 
contributions of Hispanic-Americans throughout our nation's history, 
Mr. Soler will once again grace the Library of Congress with his music. 
I encourage all of my colleagues to attend Mr. Soler's concert on 
October 15, 2008 and enjoy his uplifting music.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Francesc de Paula Soler for his contributions to the world of music.

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