[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19186]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE FLOODWALL MURAL PROJECT IN PORTSMOUTH, OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                          HON. TED STRICKLAND

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2002

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to rise today to 
congratulate the people of Portsmouth, Ohio, who will gather for the 
celebration and dedication of the Floodwall Mural Project on Saturday, 
October 5, 2002.
  In 1992, Dr. Louis R. Chaboudy, a lifetime resident of Portsmouth, 
Ohio, looked at ways to change the massive Portsmouth floodwall along 
the Ohio River from a grim reminder of flood and destruction to 
something positive. After a visit to Steubenville, another Ohio River 
Setting outdoor murals, he envisioned murals depicting local history 
painted on the massive concrete wall in Portsmouth.
  To bring this vision to fruition, Dr. and Mrs. Chaboudy contacted 
local elected officials and community leaders, outlining the project 
and encouraging a trip up river to Steubenville to view the murals to 
investigate the possibility for such a project in Portsmouth. On the 
return trip, the decision was made to go forward with the project. An 
informal committee was organized in 1992 to begin fundraising efforts 
and select a muralist.
  Given the scope of the project, the selection of a muralist was of 
utmost importance. Robert Dafford of Layfayette, Louisiana was highly 
recommended for his work on a similar project in Chemanius, Vancouver 
Island, Canada. Mr. Dafford was commissioned for the project, and work 
on the first mural--the longest of the project at 20 feet high and 160 
feet long--began in May, 1993.
  A total of 44 beautiful murals depict the history of Portsmouth, 
ranging from early inhabitants, the Mound Builders, to early settlement 
of the area. The murals highlight historical events, locations, and 
structures, and include notable individuals and businesses in the 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, the Floodwall Mural Project is a dream come true, 
presenting the Portsmouth community with a wonderful visual history of 
a great city, and creating an attraction for out-of-town visitors. The 
project is an excellent example of how a community can come together to 
make a difference, and we hope our colleagues will join us in 
congratulating the community of Portsmouth on a job well done.

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