[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6602]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING DENNIS KAVANAUGH, RECIPIENT OF 2008 SHELLEY ARTS 
                             ADVOCACY AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dennis 
Kavanaugh, recipient of 2008 Shelley Arts Advocacy Award from the 
Arizona Citizens Action of the Arts. As a member of the Mesa City 
Council and a leader within numerous boards and organizations, Dennis 
has been a tireless advocate for the arts in Arizona. Dennis recognizes 
the importance that the arts have on strengthening communities and 
enhancing our quality of life.
  Dennis currently serves as Chair of both the Mesa Arts Center 
Foundation board and the Development Committee of the National 
Association of State Arts Assemblies. Through his work on the National 
Association of the State Arts Assemblies, Dennis has been a champion 
for efforts to increase federal funding for the National Endowment of 
the Arts.
  Dennis was also instrumental in building the new Mesa Arts Center 
which has become a point of pride for the entire community. Dennis 
served for more than 6 years on the Center's Architect Selection and 
Design Committee. The center now serves as a place to showcase world-
class performances and exhibits but also houses studio space for art 
education.
  I commend the Arizona Action of the Art's for selecting such a 
deserving arts advocate. Dennis truly understands the tremendous impact 
that the arts have in achieving educational excellence and a greater 
sense of community. Dennis was recently elected to the Mesa City 
Council where he has displayed his leadership skills previously and 
where I am sure he will continue to support public policy that will 
advance the arts in Arizona.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Dennis Kavanaugh's 
continued work and advocacy for the arts in Arizona.

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