[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING 65 YEARS OF AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, last week, I introduced a bipartisan 
resolution, along with my dear friends and colleagues, Representatives 
Tom Reynolds, Christopher Shays, and Louise Slaughter, to recognize the 
cultural and educational contributions of American Ballet Theatre 
throughout its 65 years of service as ``America's National Ballet 
Company.''
  Sixty-five years ago, American Ballet Theatre was formed to fulfill 
two essential missions: Become one of the world's great ballet 
companies and bring classical dance to communities who typically are 
not able to experience world-class ballet.
  Now, 65 years later, ABT has brought world-class dance to America and 
American dance to the world, including performances in 126 cities 
throughout all 50 states and 42 countries, often as representatives of 
the State Department.
  Dwight D. Eisenhower recognized the important role of American Ballet 
Theatre over 40 years ago, stating that ABT brings ``some measure of 
understanding of America's cultural environment and inspiration'' to 
audiences through the medium of ballet.
  ABT's mission extends beyond the pursuit of artistic greatness. ABT's 
extensive educational outreach programs include the award-winning Make 
a Ballet program, which inspires and empowers at-risk students by 
guiding them through the entire process of staging their own ballet. 
From choreography, costumes and performance to lighting, marketing and 
concessions, Make a Ballet has served students in the New York City 
region for over a decade; now, ABT is bringing Make a Ballet on tour to 
communities like Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Cleveland.
  For 65 years, American Ballet Theatre has entertained, inspired and 
educated thousands and thousands of people across the country and the 
world. I am proud to represent this important institution and thank my 
colleagues for joining me in celebrating the past 65 years with ABT. We 
all look forward to the next 65 years.

                          ____________________