Teen Finally Honored for Art Project Celebrating Chicago’s First Responders

Herbie Pulgar’s Poster to Represent Fourth Congressional District of Illinois in U.S. Capitol Art Exhibit

Rep. Gutierrez Receives Chicago Teen on Trip to Washington

On June 19, fifteen year-old Herbie Pulgar, a resident of the Logan Square neighborhood, will travel to Washington, DC with his mother and be a guest of Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) as his artwork represents the Fourth District of Illinois in the 2012 Congressional Art Contest.  Herbie’s poster honoring police, fire and medical first responders in the City of Chicago will hang in an exhibit in the Capitol complex.

Congressman Gutierrez is very pleased to give Herbie Pulgar, and Chicago’s men and women in uniform, this national recognition.  The annual Congressional Art Contest is sponsored by the non-profit Congressional Institute each spring and is open to high school students nationwide.  Members of Congress submit one visual arts project from their District.  Congressman Gutierrez selected Herbie’s artwork, which has the word “heroes” across the bottom and honors Chicago’s police officers, firefighters and paramedics.

“Herbie is a great kid who deserves recognition and praise for this wonderful and positive piece of art.  I think it’s a credit to Herbie and his family that he chose to honor Chicago’s first responders and I’m very proud to have his artwork represent the Fourth Congressional District in Washington, D.C.,” Gutierrez said.

In addition to recognition for his art and the poster hanging in the Capitol complex near the Capitol Visitor’s Center, Herbie and his mother will receive a flight to and from Washington from the Congressional Institute.  Rep. Gutierrez is adding a night at a Washington hotel, dinner with the Congressman, and a tour of the White House and the U.S. Capitol.

In February, Herbie’s project was selected to be this year’s city vehicle sticker, only to have that honor retracted because of a controversy about the content of his artwork.

“As Herbie, his mother, and his art teacher have made quite clear, this poster represents a positive vision of our city and shows gratitude to the first responders who give so much to Chicago.  I think it’s appropriate that we say ‘good job’ to a good kid who has produced an uplifting piece of art,” Gutierrez said.

Herbie’s artwork will be hung in the Capitol complex, in the hallway Members of Congress and visitors use to access the Capitol from the Cannon House Office Building.  The installation will be unveiled at a ceremony on June 19 and will remain on display in Washington until next year.