[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 202 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 95TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROME CAPITOL THEATRE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRANDON WILLIAMS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2023

  Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to honor 
the Capitol Theatre in Rome, NY as it celebrates its 95th Anniversary 
this year.
  The idea for the Capitol Theatre was conceived by brothers Myron J. 
and Joseph S. Kallet. Kallet Theaters, Inc., of Oneida, New York 
partnered with the M.E. Commerford Amusement Company of Scranton, 
Pennsylvania to open the theater on December 10, 1928. It was designed 
by Leon H. Lempert, Jr. and was the first building in the city of Rome, 
New York, to be built as a movie house and the first to offer ``talking 
pictures''. The opening program included the feature film Lilac Time, 
starring Colleen Moore and Gary Cooper.
  Until 1974, the Capitol Theatre operated as a first-run movie house, 
and then for the next eleven years was used on occasion for special 
events. The facility was officially re-opened on the 57th anniversary 
of the theater, December 10, 1985, by Capitol Civic Center, Inc., a 
non-profit formed by volunteers.
  In November of 2020, a major restoration project was begun to restore 
the Capital interior to its 1939 period. In July of 2021, the restored 
theater reopened, and in January of 2022 the renovation project was 
completed with a recreation of the markee and blade sign. The theater 
still hosts its 1928 original installation Mo11er theater organ which 
was restored in 2002 and has been used since then to accompany silent 
movies.
  Today, Capitol Theatre auditorium is part of the Capitol Arts Complex 
which is the centerpiece of the ``Rome Arts District''. Live stage 
plays, dance shows, classic movies and special events are all hosted at 
the Complex. Also included in the Complex is the two screen Cinema 
Capitol which offers first-run independent movies. The Capitol Arts 
Complex currently hosts over 900 performances annually.
  It is truly an honor, on behalf of New York's 22nd Congressional 
District, to congratulate the Capitol Theatre on the occasion of its 
95th Anniversary. I wish them continued success for many years to come.

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