III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 325 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2011 Mr. Portman (for himself and Mr. Brown of Ohio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations February 17, 2012 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a global event of cultural significance to the United States and expressing support for designation of July 2012 as World Choir Games Month in the United States.

Whereas the World Choir Games, the largest choral competition in the world, takes place every 2 years, is known as the Olympics of choral music, and has the goal of uniting people from all countries through singing in peaceful competition; Whereas, from July 4 through July 14, 2012, Cincinnati, Ohio, will be first city in the United States to host the World Choir Games; Whereas the Seventh World Choir Games are expected to include more than 400 choirs from more than 70 countries, 20,000 official participants, including performers, event officials, delegations, and international jury members, and up to 200,000 spectators; Whereas choirs will compete in 23 different musical genres evaluated by an impartial international jury of choral music experts; Whereas the genres of barbershop and show choir will be added as competition categories for the first time in recognition of their popularity in the United States; Whereas the uniting of the people of the world through singing in peaceful competition in the United States in 2012 affirms the commitment of the United States to global cultural awareness, understanding, and appreciation; and Whereas it is appropriate to designate July 2012 as World Choir Games Month in the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the global significance of the Seventh World Choir Games to be hosted in Cincinnati, Ohio, from July 4 through July 14, 2012; (2)recognizes Interkultur, the Cincinnati Organizing Committee for the Seventh World Choir Games, the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city of Cincinnati, and the State of Ohio for their efforts to secure and host the World Choir Games; (3)expresses appreciation to all people of the world who will participate in the World Choir Games, either in competition or as visitors, and to all of the volunteers who will welcome the participants and other visitors to the United States; (4)supports the designation of July 2012 as World Choir Games Month in the United States; and (5)renews the commitment of the United States to world peace and friendship and increasing global cultural understanding through singing in peaceful competition.