[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 16, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H2610-H2611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN BALLET
THEATRE
Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res 751) recognizing the cultural and
educational contributions of American Ballet Theatre throughout its 65
years of service as ``America's National Ballet Company''.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 751
Whereas American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is recognized as one
of the world's great dance companies;
Whereas ABT is dedicated to bringing dance to America and
American dance to the world;
Whereas over its 65-year history, ABT has appeared in all
50 States of the United States, in a total of 126 cities, and
has performed for more than 600,000 people annually;
Whereas ABT has performed in 42 countries as perhaps the
most representative American ballet company, with many of
those engagements sponsored by the Department of State;
Whereas ABT has been home to the world's most accomplished
dancers and has commissioned works by all of the great
choreographic geniuses of the 20th century;
Whereas Dwight D. Eisenhower recognized ABT's ability to
convey through the medium of ballet ``some measure of
understanding of America's cultural environment and
inspiration'';
Whereas over the years ABT has performed repeatedly at the
White House, most recently in December 2005;
Whereas ABT is committed to bringing dance to a broad
audience and provides exposure to dance to more than 20,000
underprivileged children and their families each year;
Whereas ABT's award-winning Make a Ballet program and its
other outreach initiatives help to meet the need for arts
education in underserved schools and communities;
Whereas ABT's Studio Company brings world class ballet to
smaller communities like Rochester, New York; Stamford,
Connecticut; Sanibel, Florida; South Hadley, Massachusetts;
and Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and
Whereas The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT and
the ABT's other artistic development initiatives provide the
highest quality training consistent with the professional
standards of ABT: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes and commends American Ballet Theatre for
over 65 years of service as ``America's National Ballet
Company'', during which it has provided world class art to
citizens in all 50 States;
(2) recognizes that American Ballet Theatre also serves as
a true cultural ambassador for our Nation, by having
performed in 42 countries and fulfilling its reputation as
one of the world's most revered and innovative dance
companies; and
(3) recognizes that American Ballet Theatre's extensive and
innovative education, outreach, and artistic development
programs both train future generations of great dancers and
expose students to the arts.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Kuhl) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous information on H. Res. 751.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise in support of House
Resolution 751, recognizing the cultural and educational contributions
of American Ballet Theatre throughout its 65 years of service as
``America's National Ballet Company.''
[[Page H2611]]
When the American Ballet Theatre began, it inspired to develop a
repertoire of the best ballets from the past, and to encourage the
creation of new works by gifted young choreographers, whenever they
might be found. Since then it has continued to be dedicated to bringing
dance to America and American dance to the world.
I would say it has succeeded. Today the American Ballet Theatre is
recognized as one of the great dance companies of the world, and
throughout its 65-year history, the American Ballet Theatre has
appeared in 50 U.S. States, in a total of 126 cities around the world,
and has performed for more than 600,000 people annually.
America's National Ballet Company has also made 15 international
tours to 42 countries, and has been sponsored by the U.S. Department of
State on many of these engagements.
It was also the first American company to dance in the Soviet Union.
Additionally the theatre has commissioned works by all of the great
choreographic geniuses of the 20th century and many of the world's most
accomplished dancers, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, have called the
American Ballet Theatre home.
Lastly, Madam Speaker, I would like to emphasize the many enrichment
programs the American Ballet Theatre offers for families, for training
young and future dancers, and for the public and private schools.
I would specifically like to point out the work that the American
Ballet Theatre has done to expose more than 20,000 underprivileged
families and children in the fine art of dance, as well as introducing
such children to career opportunities in the arts, both on stage and
back stage, while also helping students develop valuable life skills.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague and fellow New Yorker,
Mrs. Maloney, for introducing this resolution. I am happy to join my
colleagues in recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of
America's National Ballet Company, the American Ballet Theatre, and ask
my colleagues to support this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution
751, recognizing the cultural and educational contributions of the
American Ballet Theatre throughout its 65 years of service as America's
National Ballet Company.
Madam Speaker, I also want to applaud Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney
for her leadership in sponsoring this resolution. Unfortunately, due to
illness, it prevents her from being here on the House floor today to
speak about it.
Madam Speaker, H. Res. 751 recognizes the anniversary of one of the
finest and most distinguished ballet companies in the world, the
American Ballet Theatre. The ABT is recognized as a living national
treasure. Using dance as its medium, the American Ballet Theatre has
brought joy to audiences here and abroad for over 40 years.
Equally important to the ABT has been its educational programs. Not
only have they trained world class ballerinas, but ABT brings its art
into the classroom by sponsoring dance programs in public schools
across the country.
The Young People's Ballet Workshop offers students who would not
ordinarily have the opportunity to experience the ballet to see the
company perform and learn about the art of ballet. Again, I join my
colleagues here today, and especially Congresswoman Maloney, in
supporting this resolution and congratulate the American Ballet Theatre
on its 65th anniversary.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H. Res. 751
to honor the American Ballet Theatre. For 65 years, the theatre has
entertained and educated thousands, becoming a national cultural icon
as ``America's National Ballet Company.''
The American Ballet Theatre has performed in all 50 states inspiring
and thrilling Americans with their skilled artistry. The company has
also served as America's cultural ambassador by bringing American dance
to more than 42 countries, often as representatives of the State
Department.
Yet beyond being one of the world's truly great ballet companies, the
American Ballet Theatre has also excelled off the stage in its
remarkable education efforts, Throughout its history, the company has
brought classical dance to communities not typically able to experience
world-class ballet and to students throughout the country. The theater
has created some of the most innovative educational programs dealing
with the arts, including the Make a Ballet program, empowering at-risk
students by giving them the resources and confidence to produce and
stage their very own ballet.
In my community, the American Ballet Theatre has also been a giving
and vital artistic institution, providing Rochester-area residents rare
performances and indispensable educational opportunities. In 2004, the
company presented an extraordinary internationally-themed program at
New Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, giving audience members the unique
chance to see up close famed performers and dance styles from
throughout the world. The American Ballet Theatre also offered a
class--taught by the former theater dancer and artistic director John
Meehan--giving local dance students the opportunity to learn and
perform alongside up-and-coming ABT dancers.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res.
751 to celebrate and honor an important cultural icon of America, the
American Ballet Theatre.
Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 751,
recognizing the cultural and educational contributions of American
Ballet Theatre.
For 65 years American Ballet Theatre has educated and inspired us
through their artistry and commitment to bringing dance to America and
American dance to the world.
While ABT is truly a national company and has performed for countless
people in all 50 states and 42 countries, I want to speak today about
the special relationship between American Ballet Theatre and the city
of New York.
In my district we have been the beneficiaries of six decades of
American Ballet Theatre's world-class art. Next week, ABT will open
their annual engagement at the Metropolitan Opera House, performing
their renowned mix of great ballet classics and challenging new works.
These performances are a primary reason that American Ballet Theatre
is universally regarded as one of the world's great ballet companies.
From the scale of the productions to the artistry of the dancers, ABT's
performances are truly something to behold and I encourage my
colleagues to see one of their engagements at the Kennedy Center, in
New York City, or in your home state.
ABT's importance to my city transcends these annual performances at
the Met, however. Every year the company performs a second series at
smaller venues in New York, allowing ballet fans the unique opportunity
to watch many of the world's greatest dancers in an intimate setting
and enhancing New York's status as one of the world's cultural
capitals.
Beyond their performances, American Ballet Theatre's educational
mission and their focus on bringing ballet and the classic arts to
audiences that otherwise would not have access is truly special. For
over 10 years, ABT has offered extensive outreach and in-school arts
programming in public schools, completely free of charge. ABT focuses
its efforts in underserved communities and ``at-risk'' schools in New
York, bringing the arts to schools that suffer from budgetary cuts to
arts programming, and they reach over 20,000 New York students each
year. During the 2006 spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House,
ABT will distribute 10,000 complimentary tickets to New York students
who would not otherwise have access to ABT's incredible artistic
resources.
American Ballet Theatre truly is an American treasure, and should be
recognized for enriching the cultural landscape of New York and our
country. I want to thank my cosponsors and the leadership of both
parties for bringing this resolution to the floor. And again, I
encourage all of my colleagues to experience the talent and artistry of
American Ballet Theatre.
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Kuhl) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 751.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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