[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 61 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. CON. RES. 61
Authorizing and requesting the President to issue a proclamation to
commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Constantino Brumidi.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 25 (legislative day, July 21), 2003
Mr. Lott submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Authorizing and requesting the President to issue a proclamation to
commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Constantino Brumidi.
Whereas Constantino Brumidi, born in Rome, Italy, on July 26, 1805, landed at
New York Harbor on September 18, 1852, as a political exile, making his
flight from Italy to the United States because of his love for liberty;
Whereas Constantino Brumidi's love for his adopted country led him to seek
citizenship 2 years after his arrival;
Whereas in 1855, Constantino Brumidi began his artistic work in the Capitol, and
spent more than 25 years of his life painting, decorating, and
beautifying the corridors, committee rooms, and Rotunda of the Capitol;
Whereas Constantino Brumidi created many magnificent paintings and decorations,
depicting the history, inventions, values, and ideals of the United
States, thus enhancing the dignity and beauty of the Capitol and
inspiring millions of visitors;
Whereas in 1865, Constantino Brumidi painted, in just 11 months, his masterpiece
``The Apotheosis of Washington'' in the canopy of the eye of the Capitol
dome;
Whereas in 1871, Constantino Brumidi created the first tribute to an African-
American in the Capitol when he placed the figure of Crispus Attucks at
the center of his painting of the Boston Massacre;
Whereas in 1877, at the age of 72, Constantino Brumidi began his last work, the
fresco frieze encircling the top of the Rotunda, and 3 years later fell
from a slipped scaffolding and was never able to return to work;
Whereas Constantino Brumidi died as a result of this experience 3 months later
in February 1880;
Whereas Constantino Brumidi has been called ``the Michelangelo of the Capitol''
by historians; and
Whereas the year 2005 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Constantino
Brumidi, as well as the 150th anniversary of the beginning of his
artistic career in the Capitol and the 125th anniversary of his death:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
That the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation
commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Constantino Brumidi
and calling upon the people of the United States, State and local
governments, and interested organizations to commemorate this
anniversary with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.
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