FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 29, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica R. Towhey | jessica@2eCommunications.com | 202-294-0492
422 Congressional Districts Participated; Artwork Will Hang in Cannon Tunnel
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Congressional Institute is pleased to join Members of Congress in honoring the artistic achievements of American high school students who participated in the 2017 Congressional Art Competition.
“The Congressional Art Competition showcases the artistic talents of our country’s high school students in one of the most trafficked corridors on Capitol Hill,” said Mark Strand, president of the Congressional Institute. “In today’s polarized political environment, this bipartisan event brings us together to promote the extraordinary talent of America’s young people. The Congressional Institute is proud to sponsor the competition. It is a reminder of how things should be when both sides of the aisle work together for something worthwhile.”
Each year, a Republican and a Democratic Member of Congress are selected as co-chairs. This year’s co-chairs are Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH 11) and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA 3).
“Art education is critically important to the future of our nation. It spurs innovation, fosters creativity, and enhances critical thinking. That’s why the Congressional Art Competition is so important. I am pleased to serve as co-chair of this year’s competition, along with my friend and colleague, Congressman Kelly, and congratulate all of this year’s winners,” said Rep. Fudge.
“I congratulate every student across America who entered this year’s contest,” said Rep. Kelly. “Each young artist deserves enormous credit for putting their talents on display for all to see. That alone is no easy task. I especially congratulate all of this year’s winners and look forward to honoring them with their families here in our nation’s capital. I thank the Congressional Institute for once again hosting this event, as well as the countless schools, teachers, and volunteers for devoting so much of their time and energy to making this competition such a wonderful success. I couldn’t be prouder to have served as co-chair with my colleague Rep. Fudge. Any opportunity to cross party lines to champion artistic expression among our youth is an opportunity worth seizing.”
This year’s competition features artists from 422 congressional districts. Each Member’s office determines how winners will be selected, and it solely up to the discretion of each Representative whether to submit winning pieces to hang in the Cannon Tunnel for one year. The Congressional Institute has been involved with the art competition since 2006. Since 2009, it has assisted facilitating the transfer of art to Washington, DC, as well as hosting a reception for competition winners and their families.
The Congressional Art Competition was originally established at the direction of Speaker Tip O’Neill by the House Office Building Commission and the Architect of the Capitol. Since 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated and more than 10,000 pieces of artwork by high school students have hung in the Cannon Tunnel.
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About The Congressional Institute
Founded in 1987, the Congressional Institute is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to helping Members of Congress better serve their constituents and helping their constituents better understand the operations of the national legislature. The Institute sponsors major conferences for the benefit of Members of the U.S. Congress as well as a number of smaller gatherings, all devoted to an examination of important policy issues and strategic planning. The Institute also conducts important research projects consistent with its mission, develops resources such as a House Floor Procedures Manual and sponsors Oxford-style bipartisan Congressional debates.