Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 4542, to designate the Washington Opera in Washington, D.C., as the National Opera. The beginnings of the Washington Opera were unusual, as it was founded by a music critic, Day Thorpe, of the now defunct Washington Star, along with a few others who decided that the Nation's capital should have an operatic enterprise of its own. In the early years, the Washington Opera was limited by financial and practical constraints to no more than one or two productions per year. Since that time, the Washington Opera has grown and prospered. Today, it is the resident opera company of the Kennedy Center, due primarily to the artistic excellence of the ensemble. In addition to performances, the Washington Opera has created several education and community programs that serve a broad and diverse population. These outreach programs are dedicated to enhancing the lives and learning of the children and adults of the greater Washington region, developing future audiences, and making the experience of opera available to those who otherwise have limited access to this art form.”