[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 169 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 169

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Robert Burns 
  was a true friend of the United States, that his work inspired the 
 citizens of this Nation, as well as his native Scotland, and that the 
annual celebration of his birth is a tradition that transcends national 
 boundaries, and as a result, should be observed in communities around 
                               the world.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 13, 2009

Mr. McIntyre submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Robert Burns 
  was a true friend of the United States, that his work inspired the 
 citizens of this Nation, as well as his native Scotland, and that the 
annual celebration of his birth is a tradition that transcends national 
 boundaries, and as a result, should be observed in communities around 
                               the world.

Whereas 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Scottish poet, and 
        friend to the United States, Robert Burns;
Whereas Robert Burns appreciated the ideals and values of the American 
        Revolution through poems such as ``Ode for General Washington's 
        Birthday'', ``Ballad on the American War'', and later, a song inspired 
        by our Nation's Founding Fathers, ``Scots Wha Hae'';
Whereas it is reported that Robert Burns believed that the United States victory 
        in the War for Independence would set off a wave of republican victories 
        throughout 18th-century Europe;
Whereas Burns's work has provided enduring appeal and timeless inspiration to 
        Scotland, the United States, and the world;
Whereas the Friends of Scotland Caucus commends the more than 200 United States-
        based Scottish heritage organizations that host Robert Burns Suppers 
        each year;
Whereas at these suppers, the poems, letters, and lyrics of Robert Burns are 
        memorized, performed, and enjoyed by enthusiasts from all backgrounds 
        and all generations;
Whereas it is documented that President Abraham Lincoln attended and performed 
        at a Burns Supper before he took office, giving the ``Immortal Memory'' 
        presentation to honor Robert Burns;
Whereas this year's 250th anniversary is being marked in Scotland by a year-long 
        celebration of Burns's work and Scotland's other great contributions to 
        the world called Homecoming Scotland 2009, in which native Scots, 
        ancestral Scots, and fans of Scotland all over the world are invited to 
        participate; and
Whereas the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress is also 
        celebrating this anniversary with a free public symposium on Burns's 
        life and work entitled ``Robert Burns at 250: Poetry, Politics and 
        Performance'' from February 24 through February 25, 2009, in Washington, 
        DC: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
Robert Burns was a true friend of the United States, that his work 
inspired the citizens of this Nation, as well as his native Scotland, 
and that the annual celebration of his birth is a tradition that 
transcends national boundaries, and as a result, should be observed in 
communities around the world.
                                 <all>