[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 94 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MELODY HERZFELD

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                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2018

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Melody 
Herzfeld from Parkland, Florida, for being named the fourth recipient 
of The Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University's Excellence in 
Theater Education Award. Under her guidance, her students have been 
able to turn to music and theatre to combat the tragedy that they 
suffered.
  Ms. Herzfeld is the director of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High 
School Drama Department, where she has been teaching drama since 2003. 
In that time, she has been responsible for putting on over 50 
productions. Her theatre program, Children's Theatre Project, has 
received numerous Critics Choice awards and South Florida Cappies, 
which celebrate excellence in regional student theatre and journalism.
  On February 14, as the tragic events unfolded at their school, Ms. 
Herzfeld hid 65 of her students in her office for two hours. Since 
then, we have seen her students demand their own space on the national 
stage. While some began to speak out and call for reforms, others 
turned to theatre and music to make their voices heard. Ms. Herzfeld's 
students performed their original song titled, ``Shine,'' for national 
audiences at the CNN Town Hall on February 21 and at the March for Our 
Lives on March 24.
  Mr. Speaker, the Excellence in Theater Education Award recognizes a 
K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who has demonstrated monumental 
impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards 
of the profession. This is why it is no surprise to us that Ms. 
Herzfeld was selected to receive this award by a panel of judges 
comprised of the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, Carnegie 
Mellon and other leaders from the theatre industry.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask this body to recognize Ms. Herzfeld for her 
endless dedication to both her students and the arts.
  Melody Herzfeld represents the kindness and warmth that I see from 
teachers across the State of Florida. We thank her for her outstanding 
leadership and guidance during such a difficult time.

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