Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute Nancy Hellman Bechtle for her longstanding commitment to the San Francisco Bay Area community. For the last fourteen years, Nancy Bechtle has served as the President of the San Francisco Symphony. On December 3, 2001, the Board of Governors of the San Francisco Symphony, civic leaders, elected officials and friends and fans will gather for a tribute dinner and concert in Nancy's honor, to recognize what her Presidency and overall leadership has meant to the community.
A fourth generation San Franciscan and alumna of Stanford University, Nancy Bechtle comes from a family tradition which has blessed California with its philanthropy and civic involvement and she is passing this legacy on to her children. Nancy Bechtle has been a member of the Symphony's Board of Governors since 1984. Elected in 1987, she is the second woman to hold the position of President of the San Francisco Symphony.
Mrs. Bechtle's tenure was one of the most successful in the Symphony's history, highlighted by the appointment of Michael Tilson Thomas as Music Director, the completion of an acoustic renovation of Davies Symphony Hall, a major touring program that has taken the Symphony throughout Europe, Asia and the United States and the release of numerous Grammy Award winning recordings. Mrs Bechtle, with her grace and strength, negotiated a historic six year labor agreement signed in January of 1999. As a result of these efforts, the San Francisco Symphony is considered one of the world's premiere orchestral ensembles. In addition, Mrs. Bechtle has illustrated her commitment to the San Francisco community by establishing annual outdoor concerts as well as expanding the Symphony's education program for youth, Adventures in Music. Mrs. Bechtle has been recognized with numerous awards for her outstanding service to the community.
I am proud to Join my constituents in thanking and praising my friend Nancy Bechtle for her fourteen extraordinary years as President of the San Francisco Symphony. We have been truly blessed by her leadership, will miss her as President, and wish her well in all her endeavors, including her continued service on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Symphony.