[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S6547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SALINE CELTIC FESTIVAL

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to honor the Saline Celtic 
Festival which will take place on the banks of the Saline River on July 
6, 1996, in Saline, MI. This festival celebrates Irish, Scottish, and 
Welsh cultures and will feature traditional Celtic food, music, and 
dance. This year's Celtic festival is especially significant because it 
marks the 30th anniversary of the Saline, MI--Brecon, Wales Sister City 
program.
  On April 18, 1966, Mayor George Johnson invited the City of Brecon, 
Wales to become a Sister City in the People-to-People program 
established by President Eisenhower in 1956. The program's goal was to 
promote strong ties among different cultures. The Saline-Brecon union 
was the first to involve United States and Welsh citizens under the 
program.
  Over the years, the relationship between the two cities has often 
involved the exchange of music. In 1967, Musical Youth International, 
during its tour of Europe, was the first official group from Saline to 
visit Brecon. In 1984, the mayor of Brecon asked the city of Saline to 
become involved in a 3-day Dixieland Jazz Festival it was planning. 
Saline quickly accepted the invitation and sent the Saline Big Band to 
Brecon, Wales. An original ``Hymn for Brecon'', written by Dil Murrell, 
was performed for their gracious hosts. The trip was a memorable 
experience for the group of 35 that traveled to Wales. They were 
treated with great hospitality and made many new friends at the 
festival. During the following years, Saline sent its high school choir 
and marching band--and in 1988, the Saline Big Band made a return visit 
to Brecon.
  The residents of Brecon have also reached out to the City of Saline. 
The first guests from Brecon were Mayor and Mrs. Tony Elston in 1973. 
In 1986, while celebrating the 20th anniversary of the twinning of the 
cities, nearly 60 citizen ambassadors traveled from Brecon to Saline. 
This year will also see a large group from Brecon celebrating the 
Celtic Festival in Saline.
  Thirty years have fostered a solid friendship between Saline and 
Brecon, they've learned about each other, and as Mayor Little has so 
aptly put it, they have become ``one community separated by a large 
body of water.'' I know my Senate colleagues join me in Saluting the 
Saline Celtic Festival and the 30th anniversary of the Saline-Brecon 
Sister City program.

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