Congressman Kendrick B. Meek Welcomes Congressional Art Competition Winner to Washington, DC

Artist Jennifer Suarez attends Miami's Design and Architecture Senior High School

 

Washington, DC – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek announced that 17-year-old Design and Architecture Senior High School student Jennifer Suarez has won the 17th Congressional District’s 2007 Congressional Art Competition.

Jennifer was recognized for her achievement during a meeting with Congressman Meek in his Capitol Hill office. The winning artist traveled to the nation’s capital with her father Jaime on June 28.

Meek represents the 17th Congressional District which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. The winning selection, titled Drummer Boy, was chosen by members of South Florida’s arts community and Congressman Meek.

During the meeting with Meek, Suarez told the Congressman that she aspires to be a special effects artist in Hollywood, California.

"I have been painting since I was four," stated Jennifer. "Painting is not my favorite thing. I actually painted this picture for my friend as a gift."

The painting will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol alongside this year’s other honorees. Ms. Suarez plans to give the painting back to her friend when it is removed from display.

Congressman Meek encouraged the young artist to remain in contact with his Congressional office and take advantage of scholarship opportunities that are available to students from the community.

"Jennifer is a very talented artist and her artwork will be prominently displayed in the U.S. Capitol," said Congressman Meek. "I am looking forward to seeing Jennifer’s painting every day as I walk through the halls of Congress."

Ms. Suarez and her father flew to Washington, DC courtesy of American Airlines.

Jennifer Suarez, who is of Colombian dissent, resides in Miami Lakes and is entering her senior year at Design and Architecture Senior High School where she has been studying film production for two years.

The Congressional Art Competition was created in 1982, in compliance with Article 1 of the Constitution, which gives Congress the authority to promote the arts. Students from all 50 states and the five territories have displayed their art in the Capitol since the competition’s inception, which is sponsored by the Congressional Arts Caucus and coordinated by the Caucus Members in the House of Representatives.

Congressman Kendrick Meek (left) meets with Congressional Art Competition winner Jennifer Suarez and her father Jaime in his Capitol Hill office.

Accompanied by her father Jaime (left), Jennifer Suarez (center) receives a certificate of achievement from Congressman Kendrick Meek (right) for winning the 17th Congressional District's 2007 Congressional Art Competition.

The winning painting, "Drummer Boy."

Congressman Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District, which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Floridian on the House Committee on Ways and Means, and also serves on the House Armed Services Committee.

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