[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE JCC MACCABI ARTSFEST: FAIRFAX 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2008

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Jewish Community Center (JCC) Maccabi ArtsFest that is taking place 
this summer in Fairfax, Virginia.
  The JCC Maccabi ArtsFest was first launched in Baltimore, Maryland, 
during the summer of 2006. The program was designed to inspire Jewish 
teenagers to engage in the fine arts while using their religion as a 
vehicle to impact their community. This is accomplished by a dynamic 
combination of workshops, performances, exhibitions, recognition of 
excellence, community service and social activities.
  The 2008 Arts Fest has already made a significant impact in Northern 
Virginia. By employing 150 members of the community to actively work on 
all aspects of ArtsFest, engaging 120 host families to provide housing 
for the 250 visiting teen artists and enlisting nearly 800 more 
volunteers to help during the festivities, the JCC Maccabi ArtsFest is 
truly living up to its 2008 theme ``Yachad'' meaning ``we are one''.
  The ArtsFest comes at a time when the general perception is that 
passion for the fine arts is being lost; I am glad to know that this is 
not the case in Virginia. To see creativity by teenagers flourishing in 
festivals such as this is very promising for the continuation of 
artistic innovation for generations to come. I know that Fairfax is 
glad to be part of such a promoted event within the Jewish artistic 
community nationwide.
  By engaging so many volunteers and encouraging participation in the 
fine arts, the JCC Maccabi ArtsFest has truly been a catalyst for 
enhancing our community in Northern Virginia. For this, Fairfax is 
greatly honored to be the host of the 2008 JCC Maccabi ArtsFest.

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