[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6003-H6005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE UNITED STATES 
                   CONGRESSIONAL PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 183) expressing the sense of 
Congress regarding the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society 
and its mission of promoting musical excellence throughout the 
educational system and encouraging people of all ages to commit to the 
love and expression of musical performance.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 183

       Whereas in February 1996, several Senators and members of 
     the House of Representatives participated in a performance of 
     the Broadway musical ``1776'', a story depicting the signing 
     of the Declaration of Independence;
       Whereas in April 1996 several Senators and members of the 
     House of Representatives met with Maestro Martin Piecuch, the 
     music director of the musical ``1776'', and formed the United 
     States Congressional Choral Society;
       Whereas on May 20, 1998, the United States Congressional 
     Choral Society debuted at St. Joseph's Church on Capitol 
     Hill, with standing ovations following its rendition of the 
     ``Song of Democracy'' and the ``Battle Hymn of the 
     Republic'';
       Whereas on March 13, 1999, the United States Congressional 
     Philharmonic Orchestra String Quartet played before the 
     Ambassador to the United States from Canada at the Embassy of 
     Canada in the District of Columbia;
       Whereas on March 19, 1999, the United States Congressional 
     Choral Society appeared in performance at the Washington 
     National Cathedral;
       Whereas on May 13, 1999, the United States Congressional 
     Philharmonic Orchestra String Quartet played before a 
     gathering of Ambassadors at the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic 
     Reception Room of the United States Department of State;
       Whereas the United States Congressional Philharmonic 
     Society is approved as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization 
     under the Internal Revenue Code and is a corporation in good 
     standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
       Whereas the United States Congressional Philharmonic 
     Society will offer free concerts to the public in the 
     Washington metropolitan area;
       Whereas the United States Congressional Philharmonic 
     Society will encourage the development of young musical 
     talent across the United States by providing educational 
     programs for schools across the nation and establishing 
     internships and scholarships; and
       Whereas the United States Congressional Philharmonic 
     Society envisions holding a series of concerts focusing on 
     themes such as Celebrations of America, Salutes to the 
     States, a Great Americans series, and an International 
     Congressional Concert series: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the 
     United States Congressional Philharmonic Society should be 
     applauded--
       (1) for organizing two musical groups, the United States 
     Congressional Choral Society and the United States 
     Congressional Philharmonic Orchestra;
       (2) for having as its mission the promotion of patriotism, 
     freedom, democracy, and understanding of American culture 
     through sponsorship, management, and support of these groups 
     and their derivative ensembles as they communicate through 
     the international language of music in concerts and other 
     multimedia performances in the District of Columbia and 
     throughout the United States and the world; and
       (3) for promoting musical excellence throughout the 
     educational system, from pre-school through post-graduate, 
     and encouraging people of all ages to commit to the love and 
     expression of musical performance.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle).
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Today I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 183, which expresses 
the sense of Congress regarding the United States Congressional 
Philharmonic Society and its dual mission of promoting musical 
excellence throughout the educational system and encouraging people of 
all ages to appreciate musical performances.
  In 1996, several Senators and Members of the House participated in a 
performance of the award-winning Broadway musical ``1776,'' a story 
depicting

[[Page H6004]]

the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A few months later, the 
United States Congressional Choral Society was formed. By all accounts, 
Members, staff, and friends of the United States Congress enjoyed their 
experience; and as a result, they also created the United States 
Congressional Orchestra, which debuted in 1999.
  Today, both the Choral Society and the orchestra operate under a 
privately funded umbrella organization, the United States Congressional 
Philharmonic Society. Its vision is to become the artistic voice of 
America, encouraging Members, staff, and friends to use their musical 
talents and present musical programs that will enrich the lives of all 
Americans with patriotic and classical presentations.

                              {time}  1415

  These free concerts, which are available to the public in the 
Washington Metropolitan Area, often play to standing ovations. More 
important, they also encourage and support the development of young 
talent through internships, scholarships, and educational programs 
through schools.
  I applaud the Congressional Philharmonic Society for successfully 
promoting patriotism, freedom, democracy, and understanding of American 
culture through music.
  In conclusion, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Davis) for introducing this important resolution. I would urge my 
colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 183 and the 
Congressional Philharmonic Society.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 183. This 
resolution applauds the work of the U.S. Congressional Philharmonic 
Society and its promotion of musical excellence, patriotism, freedom, 
and democracy.
  The U.S. Congressional Philharmonic Society is actually made up of 
two groups, the United States Congressional Choral Society, which has 
performed at St. Joseph's Church on Capitol Hill and the Washington 
National cathedral, and the United States Congressional Philharmonic 
Orchestra, which has performed before foreign heads of state.
  Both of these organizations provide a valuable benefit to the people 
of Washington, D.C. and around the Nation in extolling the virtue of 
democracy and patriotism through music and song. Song and music have 
played an important role in many of our Nation's most historic moments, 
and the Society continues this tradition through its work.
  The House does a great service today by recognizing this 
organization. I urge Members to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), the sponsor of the 
legislation.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for 
yielding time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud sponsor of House Concurrent 
Resolution 183, commending the United States Philharmonic Society for 
their commitment to promote musical excellence throughout the 
educational system, and to encourage people of all ages to commit to 
the joy and expression of musical performance.
  I believe that Americans should be encouraged to participate in music 
and art programs. Arts education programs, and specifically music 
education programs, have a positive impact on the lives of our 
children. Music education is a valuable lesson that serves to enrich 
our Society.
  The United States Congressional Philharmonic Society plays an 
important role in accomplishing these goals. The United States 
Congressional Philharmonic Society has created its own unique mission, 
which promotes patriotism, freedom, democracy, and the understanding of 
American culture through sponsorship, management, and education. It has 
gained support through the international language of music in concerts 
and performances in the United States and throughout the world.
  Under the organization of Maestro Martin Piecuch, the Congressional 
Philharmonic has quickly established itself as a voice of freedom and 
democracy through the art of music.
  As the Music Director and Conductor of the Washington Symphony 
Orchestra, he has played a great role in the world of music for the 
citizens of Northern Virginia. He has served as resident conductor, 
orchestra manager, and chorus manager at Wolf Trap Farm Park for the 
Performing Arts, and has held the position of Music Conductor and 
Director for the Alexandria Choral Society.
  Maestro Piecuch can be credited with planting the seed when he 
directed the Broadway musical 1776 at DAR Constitution Hall in March of 
1995, in which 12 Members of Congress played roles as Founding Fathers 
of our great Nation.
  With this the U.S. Congressional Choral Society was founded, and in 
May of 1998 the Congressional Choral Society debuted at St. Joseph's 
Church right here on Capitol Hill. From this successful base came the 
idea for the creation of the U.S. Congressional Orchestra, which, 
together with the Choral Society, operates under the organization of 
the U.S. Congressional Philharmonic Society.
  Today, the U.S. Congressional Philharmonic, composed of Members, 
executives, and staffers on Capitol Hill, acts as an artistic voice for 
Congress. Created to honor the U.S. Congress, its Members, and 
constituents, the U.S. Congressional Philharmonic performs concerts all 
year round to salute our Nation's States, to salute American heritage, 
our great American statesmen, and appropriate cultural programs at 
various holiday periods throughout the year.
  In addition to these commitments, it has developed many projects of 
its own to promote its premier causes, that include a concert series to 
promote democracy and peace throughout the world.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society is 
a living example of how our country's principles of freedom and liberty 
can be showcased for the entire world through music. I urge all Members 
to join me in supporting and commending the United States Congressional 
Philharmonic Society.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to speak in support of the 
United States Congressional Philharmonic Society, which will serve as 
the artistic voice of Congress and highlight works of American 
composers.
  I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom 
Davis), for introducing it, and I am proud to be one of the original 
cosponsors with him.
  The United States Congressional Philharmonic Society is composed of 
two groups: the United States Congressional Choral Society, whose 
Members are Capitol Hill staffers, and a professional symphonic 
orchestra, the United States Congressional Philharmonic.
  The organization is led by the wonderful maestro, Maestro Martin 
Piecuch, who was the Conductor and Musical Director of the Washington 
Symphony for 9 years.
  As many of us remember, the genesis of the Congressional Philharmonic 
Society was a 1996 production of the Broadway musical 1776, which 
featured Members of Congress portraying some of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence.
  Since then, the Choral Society and the Philharmonic Orchestra have 
performed in various functions in Washington, both together and 
individually, to rave reviews. The orchestra's string quartet has 
played for numerous ambassadors, while the chorus' appearances include 
a performance at the National Cathedral.
  We are here today to give the Philharmonic Society the official 
imprimatur of Congress, and we do so enthusiastically. The performing 
arts are so vitally important. They entertain us, inspire us, and give 
us a sense of wonder. I am honored to be here to support this wonderful 
endeavor.
  The Philharmonic Society plans to perform free concerts in the 
Washington Metropolitan Area, and explore

[[Page H6005]]

such themes as celebrations of America and salutes to the States, as 
well as encourage the development of young musical talent by providing 
educational programs for schools across the Nation.
  The Society is a private group, but with our blessing it can raise 
money to fulfill its mission. As Shakespeare once wrote, if music is 
the food of love, play on. I give my support to this organization, and 
look forward to hearing their performances for years to come.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am just delighted to be here today to speak on behalf 
of this sense of Congress, which looks at the United States 
Philharmonic Society and applauds them, and tells them that we are very 
proud of the great work that they are doing.
  I am delighted to be here to join with my colleagues, the gentlewoman 
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. 
Castle), and I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom 
Davis) for introducing this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to echo the words of the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis), and thank her for her participation in support 
of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House 
Concurrent Resolution 183.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof), the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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