[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 92 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF BRUCE KATSIFF'S RETIREMENT FROM THE JAMES A. MICHENER ART 
                                 MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2012

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Bruce 
Katsiff, Director and CEO of the James A. Michener Art Museum, who is 
retiring after 23 years of dedicated service to the museum and the 
Bucks County community.
  The Michener Museum is an important part of my district's art and 
cultural identity and this is due in no small part to Mr. Katsiff's 
leadership and vision. In fact, it was he who changed the name from the 
James A. Michener Arts Center to the now nationally recognized James A. 
Michener Art Museum.
  In 1989 when he began as director, attendance at the museum averaged 
8,000 visitors a year. Now, 120,000 people come to see the exhibits 
each year and the museum ranks among the top art museums in the greater 
Philadelphia region.
  Bruce's love of art goes back to high school, where he discovered 
photography and participated in his first exhibit at the age of 17. He 
then studied photography at Rochester Institute of Technology, earned a 
Master of Fine Arts at the Pratt Institute and completed postgraduate 
work at the University of Oxford.
  Mr. Katsiff's keen business sense blended well with his passion for 
art. Under his guidance, the museum flourished in size and staff. Just 
this month, the Edgar N. Putman Event Pavilion was opened to establish 
the museum as a premier destination for facility rentals in our area.
  For Bruce's final project, the museum will host an exhibition from 
the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, of Old Master paintings and 
tapestries, including oil paintings from legendary artists such as 
Botticelli and Titian.
  Because of all that Mr. Katsiff has accomplished, I know that he will 
leave this position in high spirits. Thanks again to Bruce Katsiff for 
all that you have done for not only the Michener Museum, but for the 
entire Bucks County community. I am honored to serve as your 
representative in Congress, and I wish you many more years of continued 
success.

                          ____________________