Louise Slaughter: “I rise today to remember the much- beloved New York artist, Al Hirschfeld, who brought the vibrant world of Broadway…”

“I rise today to remember the much- beloved New York artist, Al Hirschfeld, who brought the vibrant world of Broadway alive for 75 years--longer than most of us live. This singular talent drew the actors, composers, choreographers, directors who made it all work--the talented people who are responsible for what we collectively call ``the theater,'' but what we also recognize is one of the unique contributions of American culture. For a mild-mannered and gentle soul, he was a veritable force of nature. Hirschfeld's curvy, single line drawings that appeared to be so spare, so simple, held within them all the awe with which he--and we the audience--felt for this original and talented artistic community-- and he did it over the generations. His work, his memory, and the theatre he loved will live on, and we will appreciate it more because of a prolific ability to share his vision of it with us. I urge all my colleagues to support the resolution that remembers and commemorates Al Hirschfeld--a giant in the business of making magic happen before your very eyes, on the New York stage.”