OPENING OF THE 13TH ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION --
HON. LOUISE MCINTOSH SLAUGHTER (Extension of Remarks - June 29, 1994)
Introduction of Dean Cain
(By Louise McIntosh Slaughter)
We are delighted today to welcome one of America's most talented and
popular young actors and, to many, many viewers, a true superhero--Dean
Cain. Dean has achieved critical praise and audience adulation in his role
as Clark Kent and Superman on the hit ABC television series "Lois and
Clark: The New Adventures of Superman."
Dean is actually a young man with many talents. As an All-American
football player at Princeton University, Dean still holds the NCAA record
for most interceptions in one season. After graduation, he became a
professional football player with the Buffalo Bills. When a knee injury
sidelined him, one might say that football's loss was the acting world's
and our gain.
Dean has guest starred on many television series, including "Life Goes
On," "A Different World," and "Beverly Hills 90210." On the big screen, he
was seen in the critically acclaimed feature film, "The Stone Boy,"
directed by his father, Christopher Cain.
A true Renaissance man, Dean is also an accomplished writer with a
burgeoning screenwriting career, including the development of television
project entitle "Naked TV."
I might add that Arts Caucus Members met Dean briefly in Los Angeles and
he is an articulate spokesman for giving young people the chance to develop
their diverse interests.
We are pleased and grateful, Dean, that you can be here with us today.
BY DEAN CAIN
It is truly an honor to be here with all of you today. I'd like to thank
Congresswoman Slaughter, Senator Jeffords, Speaker Foley, Minority Leader
Michel, and all the members of the Congressional Arts Caucus for asking me
to take part in this day.
This creativity that each of you, the winning students, have put into your
artworks is simply overwhelming. Each work is impressive on its own.
Viewed in its entirety, the Exhibition is a powerful statement on the
talent, thoughtfulness and ingenuity of high school students across the
country.
But, I think this competition also shows the phenomenal results that can
be gained when students are given the opportunity to pursue what interests
them, to let their talents and their special abilities develop. It doesn't
only have to be art. It can be science, music, writing, math,
volunteering--truly anything. For me, the key was athletics. My
involvement in sports helped me develop an individuality, to grow as a
person, and, more importantly, learn the necessity of working with others
to achieve goals.
Supporting programs like this Competition goes beyond just giving young
people something to do, which, in many cities and many areas of the
country is important in itself. It has to do with giving someone a sense
of self, a pride in themselves that they will build on and carry with them
the rest of their lives. Out of this self-awareness not only comes
individuals who care about themselves and the community and world around
them, but the artists, the athletes, the Nobel Prize Winners--even the
Congresspeople of tomorrow.
Looking at the artwork displayed today is simply amazing. There is such
talent and ingenuity displayed in each of these works, I can only wonder
what the future holds for each of you. I can imagine that in a decade it
will be I who tells the story of when I met you.
Again, thank you for letting me be here today to speak to you and to meet
each of you. And, congratulations to all the artists, and their families,
and the members of Congress who helped make this happen.
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