[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17456-17457]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         IN HONOR OF THE SANTA CRUZ CHILDREN'S LEARNING MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2003

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Santa Cruz 
Children's Learning Museum. This local hands-on museum is still in its 
early stages of development, yet it is a bright treasure in our 
community. The Museum strives to provide a place for children to 
explore, create and discover in a safe and nurturing environment. I am 
proud to honor this valuable local resource.
  One of the many goals of the Children's Learning Museum is to foster 
children's imagination and creative potential through programs in 
music, science, literacy, art, peace, unity and esteem. Some of these 
programs include the creation of a book entitled Louden Nelson: From 
Slavery to Philanthropy, only recently released. This book follows the 
history of the life of a freed slave, Mr. Louden Nelson, who was an 
advocate for children's education and donated much of his land for the 
creation and strengthening of the schools in Santa Cruz. Additionally, 
they have started an annual drumming circle in which parents and 
children gather with the community to learn drumming techniques and 
raise funds for the museum. The Children's Learning Museum also joined 
in the September 11th Peace and Unity Project by creating one out of 
the four peace-themed murals that were sent to the United Nations in 
the tragic wake of the events of September 11th. The Children's 
Learning Museum is planning many more events that create an inclusive 
community and encourage adults and children to learn from each other.
  Mr. Speaker, I recently attended the Santa Cruz Children's Learning 
Museum's annual Mayor's Breakfast in Santa Cruz County. There, I joined 
the mayor of Santa Cruz, my dear friend Emily Reilly, as well as the 
Santa Cruz City Schools Superintendent, Alan Pagano, in stressing the 
important of hands-on learning for children so they may access their 
full learning capability. The guests were also treated to Mexican 
folkloric dances by local school children, and a dramatic reading of 
Louden Nelson: From Slavery to Philanthropy was performed by the very 
talented Billie Harris. Most of all, however, was a feeling that the 
dedicated staff and volunteers who are working to expand the programs 
and offerings of the museum are a committed group: committed to 
education, committed to the community, and committed to the children. 
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the good work of the Santa 
Cruz Children's Learning Museum, and thank them for the chance to be a 
part of their annual Mayor's Breakfast.

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