[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 125 (Friday, September 30, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10805-S10806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 56--EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE 
CONTRIBUTION OF CHINESE ART AND CULTURE AND RECOGNIZING THE FESTIVAL OF 
                      CHINA AT THE KENNEDY CENTER

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Stevens, and Ms. Murkowski) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 56

       Whereas mutual cultural understanding and appreciation 
     helps to advance the overall bilateral relationship between 
     the United States and China;
       Whereas Chinese cultural achievements have enriched the 
     world for over 5,000 years;
       Whereas Chinese artists both in China and in the United 
     States have excelled in music, dance, fashion, theater, film, 
     and the visual arts;
       Whereas the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 
     is hosting a month-long celebration of Chinese cultural 
     contributions at the Festival of China in October 2005;
       Whereas the event, with more than 50 performances and 
     exhibitions and over 800 artists, will be the largest 
     festival in the history of the Kennedy Center;
       Whereas the Kennedy Center characterizes the Festival of 
     China as the ``the largest celebration of Chinese performing 
     arts in American history'';
       Whereas events like the Festival of China, along with 
     efforts to promote educational and scientific cooperation 
     between the United States and China, further mutual 
     understanding between our two societies;
       Whereas publicly- and privately-funded exchange programs 
     and other forms of Sino-American contacts foster positive 
     relations; and
       Whereas cultural events like the Festival of China help 
     strengthen diplomatic, commercial, and political cooperation 
     between the United States and China: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the diverse array of cultural contributions made by 
     Chinese artists based in China, the United States, and around 
     the world benefit the entire international community;
       (2) the Kennedy Center, along with the Chinese Ministry of 
     Culture, should be commended for promoting Chinese 
     achievement in the arts at the Festival of China;
       (3) the significant undertaking and efforts necessary to 
     organize the Festival of China provides a unique opportunity 
     for bilateral cooperation;
       (4) building upon the Festival of China, additional efforts 
     that promote cultural understanding between the United States 
     and China should be encouraged;
       (5) the United States and China should work to promote 
     cultural, as well as scientific and educational, cooperation 
     between the two countries;
       (6) the United States and China should continue to promote 
     exchange programs, such as the Festival of China, as a vital 
     tool for advancing mutual understanding and cooperation 
     between the people of the United States and the people of 
     China; and
       (7) the hundreds of performers and individuals who have 
     contributed their time and effort to make this landmark 
     celebration of Chinese culture and the arts a success are to 
     be congratulated.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to have the opportunity 
to introduce a resolution to honor the contributions of Chinese art and 
culture and recognize the landmark Festival of China taking place this 
October at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in 
Washington, DC.
  I commend the joint efforts of the Kennedy Center and the Chinese 
Ministry of Culture in organizing this celebration and congratulate the 
hundreds of individuals who have contributed to its success.
  With over 800 artists and 50 scheduled events, the Festival of China 
will truly be one of the largest celebrations of Chinese performance 
arts in American history.
  Starting with Beijing Cultural Week, the Festival will feature 
Chinese dance, theater, and opera, and musical performances, along with 
film and art exhibitions.
  I am also privileged to be joined today in offering this resolution 
by two of my colleagues, Senators Stevens and Murkowski, both of whom 
play significant roles in fostering our relationship with China.
  Senator Stevens, as the Senate Pro Tempore, chairs the U.S.-China 
Interparliamentary Group, which facilitates annual exchanges between 
Members of the Senate and their counterparts in the Chinese National 
People's Congress.
  A hero in both the United States and China, his long history with the 
Chinese people and their culture goes back

[[Page S10806]]

to World War II, when as a pilot he flew missions in support of the 
Flying Tigers over the ``Hump'' between Burma and China. Because of his 
dedicated service to the people of China, he was later decorated with 
the Yuan Hai Medal by the Chinese government.
  Since he first arrived in the Senate 36 years ago, Senator Stevens 
has worked tirelessly to improve the bilateral relationship between the 
United States and China, and promote exchanges and cooperation between 
the two sides.
  While Senator Murkowski's tenure in the Senate may be shorter than 
that of her senior colleague from Alaska, she nevertheless is already 
playing a key part in shaping our relationship with China.
  As the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East 
Asian and Pacific Affairs, she has the unique responsibility of 
overseeing our relationship with China and its many neighbors in the 
region.
  My own relationship with China first started in 1979 when I had the 
chance to visit as the Mayor of San Francisco.
  In 1980, I joined my counterpart, Mayor Wang Daohan, in signing an 
agreement to establish the first Sister City relationship of its kind 
between San Francisco and Shanghai.
  Since that time, I have traveled regularly to China and had the 
opportunity to get to know many of its leaders.
  I can tell you that, in my view, no nation on Earth has changed more 
positively in the past three decades than China.
  That is why I consider it truly an honor to join with my colleagues 
in introducing this resolution to recognize the Festival of China.
  I hope that during the month of October 2005 more Americans will have 
the chance to understand China and its unique contributions to art and 
culture during the past 5,000 years.

                          ____________________