Washington, DC—Congressman Al Green (TX-9) recognized Danny Lu, the winner of the 2005 9th Congressional District Art Competition at yesterday’s official ribbon cutting ceremony in the U.S. Capitol building. Danny Lou is an accomplished student at Stafford High School who is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Science Club. He likes to draw as a hobby and plans to continue creating new masterpieces.

“It was such an honor to be able to have both Danny and his mother attend the Congressional Arts Competition ribbon cutting ceremony,” Green said. “He is an exceptionally talented artist with great promise and I am honored that he is able to represent the 9th District.”

His piece entitled “Jane Doe” was chosen from among 50 works of art. The competition was open to all high school students residing in the 9th Congressional District which encompasses areas of southwest Houston and parts of Fort Bend County including Missouri City. The piece will hang in the walkway between the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol building to be viewed by visitors for one year’s time.

Lou and his mother came to Washington in order to accept the award. The competition is sponsored annually by the Congressional Art Caucus, of which Congressman Green is a member. The Caucus is committed to securing adequate funding for the arts and is also a venue for over 150 Members, of both parties, to come together to ensure that support for the arts is non-partisan and national in scope. In addition, the Caucus serves as a backdrop for the exchange of ideas on how best to educate, and enrich Member’s local communities as it relates to the arts.

Green continued, “There are so many talented young people in my Congressional District that choosing one was not easy. I want to encourage all young artists to participate next year and thank all the art teachers who have dedicated their careers to helping our students gain a greater appreciation for the arts while maturing their gift.”