[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 490 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 490

  Recognizing the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 50 years of 
                    service to the performing arts.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

               March 31 (legislative day, March 13), 2008

  Mrs. Clinton (for herself and Mr. Schumer) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 50 years of 
                    service to the performing arts.

Whereas the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) is widely recognized as 
        one of the world's premier modern dance companies;
Whereas AAADT is dedicated to promoting the uniqueness of the African-American 
        cultural experience, to preserving the heritage of modern dance, and to 
        bringing modern dance to people around the globe;
Whereas, over its 50-year history, AAADT has performed for an estimated 
        21,000,000 people in 48 States and in 71 countries on 6 continents;
Whereas AAADT tours more than any other performing arts company in the world;
Whereas AAADT's signature work, ``Revelations'', has been seen by more people 
        around the globe than any other work of dance;
Whereas AAADT performs works by both emerging and established choreographers 
        from throughout the United States and the world;
Whereas AAADT's home in New York City, The Joan Weill Center for Dance, is the 
        largest facility dedicated exclusively to dance in the United States;
Whereas Alvin Ailey, founder of AAADT, received the United Nations Peace Medal 
        in 1982;
Whereas President George W. Bush recognized AAADT and Artistic Director Judith 
        Jamison with the National Medal of Arts in 2001, making AAADT the first 
        dance company to be so honored;
Whereas AAADT has performed for United States Presidents and foreign leaders 
        throughout the company's 50-year history, including performances in 1968 
        for President Johnson, in 1977 at the inaugural gala for President 
        Carter, in 1993 at the inaugural gala for President Clinton, and in 2003 
        at a state dinner honoring President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya;
Whereas, over the years, AAADT has brought the culture of the United States to 
        audiences around the world with performances at such historic events as 
        the Rio de Janeiro International Arts Festival in 1963, the first Negro 
        Arts Festival in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966, the fabled New Year's Eve 
        performance for the Crown Prince of Morocco in 1978, the Paris 
        Centennial performance at the Grand Palais Theatre in 1989, 2 
        unprecedented engagements in South Africa in 1997 and 1998, the 1996 and 
        2002 Olympic Games, the 2005 Stars of the White Nights festival in St. 
        Petersburg, Russia, and the 2006 Les etes de la danse de Paris festival 
        in Paris, France;
Whereas AAADT annually provides more than 100,000 young people from diverse 
        cultural, social, and economic backgrounds with the opportunity to 
        explore their creative potential and build their self-esteem through its 
        Arts in Education and Community Programs, which includes 9 Ailey Camps 
        in cities across the United States;
Whereas Ailey II, the junior company to AAADT, reaches more than 69,000 people 
        each year through its inspiring performances and outreach activities 
        while touring to smaller communities in more than 50 North American 
        cities; and
Whereas the Ailey School, accredited by the National Association of Schools of 
        Dance, provides the highest quality training consistent with the 
        professional standards of AAADT, including a Certificate Program, a 
        Fellowship Program, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in 
        conjunction with Fordham University: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes and commends the Alvin Ailey American Dance 
        Theater (AAADT) for 50 years of service as a cultural 
        ambassador of the United States to the world, by bringing 
        world-class American modern dance to an estimated 21,000,000 
        people around the globe;
            (2) recognizes that AAADT has been a true pioneer in the 
        world of dance by establishing an extended cultural community 
        that provides dance performances, training, and community 
        programs to all people while using the beauty and humanity of 
        the African-American heritage and other cultures to unite 
        people of all ages, races, and backgrounds; and
            (3) recognizes that Ailey II, the prestigious Ailey School, 
        and the extensive and innovative Arts in Education and 
        Community Programs of AAADT train future generations of dancers 
        and choreographers while continuing to expose young people from 
        communities large and small to the arts.
                                 <all>