WASHINGTON, DC.- /U.S. Newswire/House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Congressional leaders spoke today in the Capitol rotunda at the 200th birthday celebration for artist Constantino Brumidi, whose work adorns the Capitol. Below are Pelosi's remarks:

"Can you just imagine how exciting this is for me, as the House Democratic Leader, as an Italian American, to honor Constantino Brumidi with this distinguished group of leaders in our country? I am pleased to associate myself with all of their remarks, and I'm especially honored to follow Ambassador Lindy Boggs.

"Long before I even thought about being House Democratic Leader or serving in Congress even, I was aware of Constantino Brumidi, as one who grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. My father's grandparents came around the same time as Constantino Brumidi - the middle of the nineteenth century to Baltimore, long before there was ever a Little Italy. We were proud to live there.

"The Church of St. Ignatius, the Jesuit church in downtown Baltimore, was a place where we saw the altarpiece that he designed. It is beautiful. It's called 'The mythical vision of St. Ignatius.'

"When we would visit New York, we would see his paintings, and in Philadelphia as well, you can see his beautiful work. And you don't have to go far to see it. All you need to do is look up and around the Capitol to be inspired by his beautiful work.

"Constantino Brumidi came to this country when he was nearly 50 years old. He had already established himself as a leading artist in Rome, and was commissioned by Pope Pius IX and Pope Gregory XVI to paint for three years in the Vatican. Imagine that someone who painted in the Vatican painted in the Capitol of the United States, bringing all of that classical beauty to our great country.

"He embraced America with great pride and passion. That passion animated so many immigrants over the years, and is illustrated in this beautiful art here.

"Upon settling here, he took commissions at churches through private citizens. But his life changed forever when he met Montgomery Meigs, the engineer in charge of decorating the Capitol. Meigs had said that he did not want the Capitol to 'starve in simple whitewash.' Constantino Brumidi proposed classical frescoes. Meigs asked for a sample of Brumidi's work. Brumidi said that he simply couldn't carry around a fresco, could he paint one - at his own expense - somewhere in the building?

"Today, you can see his 'job interview' in the old House Agriculture Committee hearing room - H-144. The piece, "Calling of Cincinnatus from the Plow,' is considered one of the first, and finest, examples of fresco in America.

"Brumidi went on to spend 25 years of his life painting scenes on the walls and ceilings of this Capitol. It was a labor of love for the country that he chose as his home. Others here today have quoted his beautiful quote about his daily prayer to make the Capitol beautiful - 'the Capitol of the one country on earth where there is liberty.' He even signed one of his frescoes - 'C. Brumidi - Artist Citizen of the US' - his highest dedication.

"When Constantino Brumidi passed away, he was eulogized by Senator Daniel Voorhees of Indiana, who said, 'It matters little... whether we or those who come after us do anything to perpetuate his memory. The walls of his Capitol will hold his fame fresh and ever increasing as long as they themselves shall stand.'

"Senator Voorhees was right. The walls around us are more stirring tributes than any of the words we could ever offer to this son of Italy, whom we rightly honor as the pride of America, on this, his 200th birthday.

"And aren't we all glad that we brought this fine Italian man up to this Capitol for future generations to enjoy?

"Thank you, Constantino Brumidi. And God bless America."

http://www.usnewswire.com/ /© 2005 U.S. Newswire 202-347