[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H2964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAHAFFEY THEATER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Jolly) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an institution 
that, for 50 years, has been the cultural heart of the city of St. 
Petersburg, Florida.
  This month, in May, the Mahaffey Theater celebrates its 50th 
anniversary. Opening in 1965, the venue was originally called the 
Bayfront Center Complex, a combination arena and theater along the 
city's most beautiful downtown waterfront.
  It quickly proved to be a gathering place for community and civic 
groups, and its many shows drew tourists from around the State. The 
artists that have performed at the Mahaffey could easily fill an 
entertainment hall of fame, from Louis Armstrong to Dionne Warwick to 
Liza Minelli to Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers, and even ``The President's 
Own'' United States Marine Band, an event that was secured by the 
invitation of my predecessor, Congressman Bill Young.
  The first significant makeover for the venue occurred in 1987, and 
the Bayfront Theater became the Mahaffey Theater after a generous gift 
from St. Petersburg's Mahaffey family. In 2011, Big3 Entertainment took 
over the management of the Mahaffey, with CEO and chairman Bill Edwards 
privately funding a number of major enhancements.
  Today, the Mahaffey is home to the Florida Orchestra, and it is the 
annual host site for the Miss Florida Pageant.
  The Mahaffey also supports, very importantly, the highly successful 
Class Acts program, which enables school children to experience the 
performing arts through in-theater performances, as well as in-school 
outreach and extension programs.

                              {time}  1030

  The theater also has been the site of very important moments of 
American history. The theater was the site of the 1996 Vice 
Presidential debate between Al Gore and Jack Kemp. And in 2007, the 
Mahaffey hosted the nationally televised Republican Presidential 
primary debate, known as the very first YouTube debate, having 
Americans, for the very first time, submit questions via YouTube video 
clips.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
Mahaffey Theater, celebrating a venue that today anchors a growing and 
thriving Pinellas County arts community and serves as a stage that 
celebrates the arts but, most importantly, celebrates the remarkable 
human spirit, the creativity of so many performers, and the dedication 
and commitment of the greater St. Petersburg community.

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