IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 509 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

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.