[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN BALLET 
                                THEATRE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2006

  Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 751, 
recognizing American Ballet Theatre as a cultural and educational 
resource for our Nation.
  Over the last 65 years, American Ballet Theatre has elevated the 
artistry and talent of classical dance in the United States, and has 
brought a greater appreciation and understanding of the arts to 
countless people in all 50 States and around the world.
  American Ballet Theatre has developed a special relationship with 
Connecticut through the award-winning Make a Ballet Program.
  Since 2002, ABT has been offering this program at The Waterside 
School, an independent, private day school in Stamford, which 
introduces low-income children to ballet. ABT Teaching Artists come to 
the school twice a week and provide a thorough introduction to the arts 
and high-quality dance instruction. This long-term, in-depth exposure 
to the arts leaves indelible impacts on the students, instilling a 
sense of confidence and accomplishment, and planting seeds that will 
reap appreciation for the arts for years to come.
  American Ballet Theatre also holds a Ballet for the Young Dancer 
program at the YWCA in Greenwich each year, providing children between 
the ages of 5 and 12 with weekly ballet classes with some of the finest 
dancers in the world.
  While the grand performances that American Ballet Theatre presents 
have established it as one of the world's great ballet companies, it is 
the interactions with local communities across America that truly 
distinguish ABT as a national treasure.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

                          ____________________