[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1303-E1304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM L. JENKINS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 1997

  Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, each year during the month of October, the 
National Storytelling Association [NSA] holds the National Storytelling 
Festival in Jonesborough, TN. This year marks the 25th anniversary of 
the festival.
  Considered one of the top 100 events in North America, the festival 
draws an average of 10,000 visitors per year. The NSA has received 70 
percent of the funds required to 

[[Page E1304]]

build a National Storytelling Center in Jonesborough. An estimated 
80,000 tourists are expected to visit northeast Tennessee per year 
generating revenue as well as jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to praise the many 
educational benefits of storytelling. The art of storytelling allows 
teachers to develop student interest in literature and history. By 
telling stories, students learn excellent communication skills while 
being given the unique opportunity to speak to a large group of people. 
Storytelling teaches students to be aware of the many diverse cultures 
in the United States. In addition, many businesses use storytelling to 
enhance presentations and seminars.
  In order to further promote storytelling across the Nation, the 
National Storytelling Association hosts Tellabration on the Saturday 
night before Thanksgiving. Tellabration occurs in several States and 
NSA hopes to declare the week prior to Tellabration, National 
Storytelling Week. I commend the National Storytelling Association on 
their efforts and wish them continued success.

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