[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E365-E366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNITION OF SAM SIMON AND THE ACTUAL DANCE

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Samuel A. Simon 
on the success of his important one man performance, The Actual Dance. 
By creating and performing this moving and evocative show, Sam has 
helped to increase awareness about the lesser-known experience of 
spouses who have lost loved ones to breast cancer, a cruel and 
devastating disease that continues to affect far too many Americans.
  Mr. Simon, a resident of Fairfax County, Virginia, and a close family 
friend, was inspired to create his one man show when his wife, Susan, 
was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. Sam used his family's 
personal struggle as a source of inspiration to create a one man drama, 
so that he could educate and mobilize audiences across the country. He 
first told the story of his spiritual journey at the 2013 Capital 
Fringe Festival, right here in Washington, DC. Since then he has 
performed across the Mid-Atlantic and in New York City, where his 
performance has earned the praise of audiences and critics alike. He 
was honored with the 2013 Northern Virginia Theater Alliance Award for 
Best Production of an Original Play, as well as Best Overall 
Production. The NVTA also nominated Sam for Best Actor, and in New 
York, the Midtown International Theatre Festival nominated Sam for Best 
Playwright.
  Clearly, Mr. Simon's show is an artistic success. But more than that, 
by sharing his family's personal experience with breast cancer, Sam has 
given voice to Americans all across the country who have battled this 
disease: mothers, sisters, spouses, even Members of Congress. In my 
home state of Virginia, the number of women diagnosed each year now 
tops 6,200. Advocates like Sam Simon, who are willing to share their 
experience and strength, give hope to all the families that suffer 
because of this terrible disease. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 
recognize

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the contribution of Samuel A. Simon, wish him heartfelt congratulations 
on his achievements, and urge him on to even greater artistic 
excellence.

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