[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 177 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF BEN VEREEN'S FIRST ANNUAL WELLNESS THROUGH THE ARTS 
                        SACRAMENTO ESSAY AWARDS

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ben Vereen's 
First Annual Wellness through the Arts Sacramento Essay Awards at 
California State University, Sacramento on April 30th, 2016. The 
evening gathering is the inaugural event for Ben Vereen's new 
Sacramento chapter of Wellness through the Arts. Mr. Vereen created 
Wellness through the Arts for young people who are struggling with 
B.O.L.D. (Bullying, Obesity, Low Self-Esteem, and Diabetes), inviting 
them to embrace the performing arts as a means to a healthier 
lifestyle.
  It is a great pleasure to welcome Ben Vereen and his program, 
Wellness through the Arts, to Sacramento. Ben Vereen is not only a 
legend and idol for many in the performing arts world, but he continues 
to use his platform to give back to communities in big ways. Bringing 
Wellness through the Arts to Sacramento will empower our region's 
students through art and positively impact them for the rest of their 
lives, no matter what they choose to do in life. Art enriches our lives 
in so many ways and Ben Vereen is making sure that students in 
Sacramento have greater access to those incredible benefits that art 
can have on our overall health and wellbeing.
  As part of Wellness through the Arts, students from local high 
schools have taken part in an essay competition titled ``My Best Day,'' 
about how the arts have helped them address health issues. I am excited 
about the accomplishments of each of the finalists of this competition: 
Alanna Serrato and Dylan Curry from C.K. McClatchy High School, Brendan 
Orellana, Danniel Urena, Darius Wilson, Dylan Achermann, Joseph Weldon, 
and Kate Brugger from Natomas Charter School, and Brian Thao and Joseph 
Gonsolis from Luther Burbank High School.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate the students on their 
success in the competition and to welcome Ben Vereen's outstanding 
organization to our community. I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the hard work of these students and Ben Vereen and his program 
that promotes healthier lifestyles for students by empowering them 
through performance and art.

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