[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E65-E66]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING MARY KAY RUMMEL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 14, 2014

  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize 
Mary Kay Rummel, a community poet, who was inaugurated on January 10, 
2014 as the first Poet Laureate of Ventura County.
   Nominated by the Ventura County Arts Council, Mary was ultimately 
selected as the county's first laureateship for her long and celebrated 
career as a poet in the region. In conjunction with the title of Poet 
Laureate, Mary will also serve a two year position as official poet and 
ambassador to the community, a position that is dedicated to putting a 
spotlight on poetry and expanding the audiences of the literary arts in 
the area.
   Mary's work has been described as ``luminous meditations on the 
nature of love in which imagery and the beauty of language shine.'' Her 
literary work will serve to promote, encourage and inspire community 
members to develop their own creative interests.
   Over the last 35 years, more than 350 of Mary's poems have appeared 
in national and international literary journals and anthologies. 
Throughout her career, she has also received over a dozen poetry awards 
that range from local accolades to multiple nominations for the highly 
prestigious Pushcart Prize.
   Beyond her poetry career, and her duties as a wife, mother of three 
and a grandmother,

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Mary is vigorously involved in the community, including being an active 
participant in poetry readings throughout the county. She has 
collaborated with visual artists, sculptors, musicians and dancers. 
Additionally, she has been a professor at California State University, 
Channel Islands since it first opened its doors in 2002.
   I am confident that Mary's talents and passion for the art will be 
reflected positively in her new position. I am pleased to join with the 
Ventura County Arts Council and the people of Ventura County in 
congratulating our first Poet Laureate, Mary Kay Rummel.

                          ____________________