[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 509 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 509

Encouraging the United States to fully participate in the Shanghai Expo 
                                in 2010.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 4, 2009

   Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself and Mr. Honda) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Encouraging the United States to fully participate in the Shanghai Expo 
                                in 2010.

Whereas the Universal Exposition, or World's Fair, is an international tradition 
        dating back to at least before 1851, making the event older than the 
        modern-day Olympics;
Whereas the World's Fair is the third largest international event in economic 
        and cultural impact, just behind the FIFA World Cup and the modern-day 
        Olympics;
Whereas for over 150 years the World's Fair has showcased and influenced new and 
        emerging developments in technology, transportation, art and design, 
        architecture, tourism, international trade, bi- and multi-lateral 
        relations, and cultural exchange;
Whereas each participating country creates a national pavilion for the World's 
        Fair, showcasing particular national achievements, products, and culture 
        to visitors;
Whereas some of the most enduring symbols of hosting cities were created for the 
        World's Fair, including the Seattle Space Needle and the Eiffel Tower;
Whereas the United States has a long history of involvement with the World's 
        Fair, including hosting over 18 World's Fairs in such cities as 
        Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, 
        Omaha, St. Louis, San Antonio, Knoxville, and many others;
Whereas the United States participation has waned in recent years, leaving 
        dedicated pavilion lots to stand vacant and undeveloped;
Whereas millions of people attend the World's Fair, including more than 
        22,000,000 visitors to the 2005 Expo in Aichi, Japan;
Whereas the 2010 World's Fair will be hosted by China in Shanghai, and expects 
        over 70,000,000 visitors over 6 months;
Whereas the United States has verbally committed to participate but continues to 
        miss key opportunities to formally declare its participation, leaving 
        the World's Fair organizer and the Chinese Government confused about the 
        United States level of commitment;
Whereas the Chinese Government has set aside 60,000 square feet for the United 
        States pavilion to anchor one side of the central promenade, sharing 
        that honor only with China;
Whereas while most other countries fund their national pavilions, since 1991 the 
        United States has relied on corporate funding and private donors for the 
        tens of millions of dollars required to construct a pavilion;
Whereas the necessary funds have not yet been raised;
Whereas the pavilion has already been conceived and designed, and will feature 
        environmentally friendly resource sustainability technologies such as 
        water-misting systems, roof gardens, wild bird habitats, and other 
        features;
Whereas government officials there expressed their concern to Secretary of State 
        Hillary Clinton about the lack of United States commitment on her last 
        trip to China;
Whereas Secretary Clinton has repeatedly affirmed the United States interest and 
        intent to fully participate in the Shanghai Expo in 2010;
Whereas United States participation is an essential opportunity to demonstrate 
        our national interest in and appreciation for the Asia-Pacific region, 
        as well as to demonstrate to the 170 participating nations our desire to 
        play an active, constructive, and leadership role on the international 
        stage; and
Whereas the Shanghai Expo offers an opportunity for the United States and China 
        to improve bilateral relations: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its support for full United States 
        participation in the Shanghai 2010 Expo, including the 
        construction of a national pavilion to showcase United States 
        innovations and culture;
            (2) expresses its sense that United States participation is 
        an important application of ``soft power'', affording other 
        nations and millions of citizens an opportunity to appreciate 
        United States technological innovations, cultural traditions, 
        participation in peaceful and beneficial global events, and our 
        national respect for other nations and cultures; and
            (3) encourages relevant stakeholders, including private 
        companies, individuals, and the United States Government, to 
        work together to ensure full United States participation in the 
        Shanghai 2010 Expo.
                                 <all>