[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


RECOGNIZING TERRE JONES ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE WOLF 
                TRAP FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2012

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise along with my 
colleagues, Rep. Frank Wolf and Rep. Jim Moran, to recognize and 
commend Terrence D. ``Terre'' Jones on the occasion of his retirement 
after 17 years of distinguished service as President and CEO of the 
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Terre's career in the 
performing arts spans more than 40 years, and he leaves a rich legacy 
both on and off the stage that will benefit the arts community and 
Northern Virginia for years to come.
  During his tenure, Terre helped fulfill and then expand Wolf Trap's 
mission of providing a world-class platform for aspiring and 
accomplished artists alike at the majestic Filene Center and the 18th 
century Barns at Wolf Trap. Thanks to his innovative spirit, the 
Foundation continues to set new attendance and fund-raising records. As 
the guiding force behind America's only National Park for the 
Performing Arts, Terre has positioned Wolf Trap as a leader not only in 
the arts, but also in connecting education, technology and 
environmental stewardship through the arts and inspiring passion for 
those pursuits in a new generation. And though its artistic scope is on 
the national and global stages, Terre has made sure that Wolf Trap also 
is a resource for our local communities.
  In 2003, Terre helped lead the fund-raising effort to establish a 
National Center for Education on the Wolf Trap campus. Wolf Trap's 
education programs focus on early childhood arts education and also 
serve as a resource for the entire community, particularly local school 
children. More recently, Wolf Trap received a competitively awarded 
grant from the U.S. Department of Education to demonstrate the 
effectiveness of the arts in advancing STEM (Science, Technology, 
Engineering and Math) learning for young children.
  Terre also has strengthened Wolf Trap's connection to its 
environmental roots. In 2007, he launched the Foundation's ``Go Green'' 
program with the stretch goal of making Wolf Trap carbon neutral. To 
date, the program has decreased the park's carbon footprint by 20% and 
cut landfill waste in half. Wolf Trap has been designated as a Climate 
Friendly Park by the EPA and National Park service. Terre also led the 
effort to establish the National Council on the Arts and Environment 
and a partnership with the Aspen Institute on a nationwide Summit on 
the Arts and the Environment.
  Prior to taking the helm at Wolf Trap, Terre served as CEO and 
artistic Director of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the 
University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He previously served as 
General Manager of Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, Assistant Dean 
of the College of Fine Arts at Butler University, and he also founded 
the Bradford Repertory Theater in Vermont.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Terre has received local and 
national recognition. He received the Distinguished Alumni Achievement 
Award from his alma mater, the University of Kansas, was named 
Washingtonian of the Year in 2006 by Washingtonian Magazine, and was 
recognized by his peers with the Fan Taylor Distinguished Service Award 
from the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. During his tenure 
as Foundation president, Wolf Trap also has received numerous awards 
and accolades.
  Beyond these accomplishments, we want to recognize Terre's exemplary 
role not just as an arts advocate and executive, but also as an 
individual. When asked in an interview what he loves most about his 
job, he said: ``People--I don't think you could do this job if you 
didn't enjoy people and didn't like being around people.'' We can all 
recognize and appreciate Terre's unequivocal commitment to his craft 
and our community.
  Mr. Speaker, Terre Jones has left a tangible, lasting imprint on the 
rich history of our National Park for the Performing Arts, and his 
legacy will continue to inspire a new generation of artists. We wish 
Terre, his wife, Polly, and their family the continued success as he 
enters this next act of his life, and we ask our colleagues to join us 
in expressing our appreciation for his tremendous contributions to the 
arts, our nation and the Northern Virginia community.

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