[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1188-E1189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               10TH ANNUAL LEIMERT PARK VILLAGE BOOK FAIR

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2016

  Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate an important 
institution in Los Angeles, which this year celebrates its tenth 
anniversary: the Leimert Park Village Book Fair.
  Now making its home at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in the heart 
of my district, the fair expects to bring together thousands of book 
lovers, families, and fans with both well-known and emerging authors to 
celebrate the written word.
  I congratulate Cynthia Exum, founder and executive producer, who 
conceived of this

[[Page E1189]]

event to honor her grandmother, who she credits with nurturing her own 
love of reading. I also congratulate the sponsors who make this event 
possible, including my long-time colleague, L.A. County Supervisor Mark 
Ridley-Thomas; the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Cultural 
Affairs; and Capri Capital Partners of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw 
Plaza. Event board members and honorary chairpersons Dr. Bernard and 
Mrs. Shirley Kinsey have worked to take the book fair to new heights 
with their leadership and resources.
  I would also like to honor all of the volunteers who spend hours 
preparing the panels, booths, presentations, awards, and more, and who 
keep everything running smoothly. Without them it would not be possible 
to sustain this event for ten years and beyond. I would further like to 
thank the authors, playwrights, screenwriters, journalists, performers 
and others who provide the substance of the event and make it a thrill 
to attend each year.
  For a decade now, the Leimert Park Village Book Fair has brought 
attendees together from all over the city to enjoy one of the historic 
cultural cores of the African American community in L.A., and to find 
inspiration to read, write, listen, and learn. I wish them many more 
decades of success.

                          ____________________