[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11984]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING KELLY BLACK

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Kelly Black for her award as Best Female Performer in the 11th annual 
High School Music Theatre HONORS awards in San Jose.
  This year, over 25 Bay Area High Schools competed in 10 unique 
categories. Judges from the American Musical Theatre were sent to each 
school to watch and evaluate performances. Judges were instructed to 
evaluate the quality of each production and performance, while keeping 
in mind each school's budget and available resources. This annual 
competition awarded four students who reside within California's 16th 
district.
  Kelly is a student from Oak Grove High School. She won the Best 
Female Performer award for her role of Velma Kelly in ``Chicago''. 
Kelly will receive a scholarship to the American Musical Theatre 
Artists Institute, a nine-week intensive professional training program.
  The High School Music Theatre HONORS awards promote artistic 
creativity in a way that is vital to a youth's development. The 
performances that these youth stage are extremely labor intensive, and 
promote discipline, team work, and dedication. High School Performing 
Arts programs are generally underfunded and have been greatly reduced 
in recent years. I recognize the hard work, time, and energy that these 
students and teachers put into these productions.
  I am proud to stand here today and recognize Kelly for her 
accomplishments. I urge her and all students to continue to take 
interest in the performing arts.

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