[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11985]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING TOMMY JERNIGAN

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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 
Tommy Jernigan for his award of Best Student Lighting Design 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.
  Tommy is a student from Live Oak High School. He won the Best Student 
Lighting Design award for his work in ``Fiddler on the Roof''.
  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 Tommy for his 
accomplishments. I urge him and all students to continue to take 
interest in the performing arts.

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