[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 101 (Friday, July 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PAYING TRIBUTE TO A PUERTO RICAN-AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY--COMPOSER, 
                 LYRICIST AND ACTOR LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 8, 2011

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Lin-Manuel 
Miranda for all of his marvelous accomplishments. It is my pleasure to 
pay tribute to this prodigious composer, lyricist and actor. I want to 
give thanks to this exceptional constituent for sharing his vision and 
talents with the world for all to enjoy.
  Mr. Miranda is a native New Yorker who grew up in Manhattan's diverse 
and vivacious Washington Heights neighborhood and is of Puerto Rican 
descent. He attended Hunter College High School and later graduated 
from Wesleyan University in 2002. While pursuing higher education he 
wrote his earliest draft of In the Heights in 1999. He also wrote, 
acted and directed several other musicals while attending Wesleyan. 
While in school he diligently worked to perfect his craft, so it is of 
no surprise that Mr. Miranda would later take such large strides toward 
the road of success.
  His claim to fame comes from writing and starring as Usnavi in the 
Broadway musical In the Heights, which opened on Broadway at the 
Richard Rodgers Theater in 2008. This phenomenal musical composer has 
won the Tony Award as composer and lyricist. With his creativity and 
determination he was able to take an idea and catapult it into success. 
He took a risk and believed in his dream as well as himself. We can all 
learn from this fine example and believe in ourselves, especially when 
no one else will. We should all have the courage to live out our 
dreams, while inspiring others. Les Brown once said ``Shoot for the 
moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.'' This is exactly 
what Mr. Miranda did and now he is taking his dreams and plays to new 
heights.
  With his countless accomplishments, it is impossible to single out 
Mr. Miranda's greatest achievement, but one could say that In the 
Heights has won critical acclaim. This extraordinary theater piece has 
been nominated and has won countless awards, such as the 2009 Grammy 
for Best Musical Show Album, 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, 2008 
Tony Award for Best Original Score, and was a Finalist for the 2009 
Pulitzer Prize for Drama, among many other accolades. As a performer, 
Mr. Miranda has also showcased his talents on many popular television 
series, including The Sopranos, House, Electric Company, Modern Family 
and Sesame Street. Mr. Miranda is also a co-founder of the popular hip 
hop-improvisational group, Freestyle Love Supreme that has toured 
comedy festivals throughout the world and continues to perform at 
esteemed venues throughout the country.
  The White House has taken notice of this rising star. In 2009 he was 
invited to perform at the White House Evening of Poetry, Music and the 
Spoken Word. The University of Yeshiva also took notice of his 
greatness and bestowed him with an honorary degree. He has also been 
acknowledged by former mayor of New York City Ed Koch. This young fresh 
talent continues to believe in his dream and make positive strides. He 
is currently working on a musical theatre version of Bring It On, which 
will start its National Tour in the fall of 2011.
  Mr. Speaker, for this, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues 
in Congress join me in applauding this prolific artist, who is truly an 
inspiration.

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