[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 15 (Thursday, January 25, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHILADELPHIA ACADEMY OF MUSIC

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 43 which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sanders). The clerk will report the 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 43) honoring the important 
     contributions to the Nation of the Academy of Music in 
     Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on its 150th anniversary.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to support 
legislation with my distinguished colleague, Senator Casey, that will 
honor the 150th Anniversary of the Academy of Music of Philadelphia, 
PA.
  The Academy of Music has served as a venue for the performing arts, 
ceremonial events, Presidential conventions and historical occasions 
since its opening in 1857. The Academy is the oldest grand opera house 
in the United States still used for its original purpose, and was 
designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1963.
  The Academy served as the main concert hall for the Philadelphia 
Orchestra for more than a century. The Orchestra purchased the Academy 
in 1957, and continues to perform there each year for the Academy's 
anniversary. Additionally, a host of legendary artists including Maria 
Callas, Joan Sutherland, George Gershwin, Anna Pavlova, Igor Stravinsky 
and Luciano Pavarotti have performed at this important venue.
  The Academy of Music has also been the site of several significant 
and historic cultural events. Alexander Graham Bell conducted a 
demonstration of the telephone in 1877, Leopold Stokowski and the 
Philadelphia Orchestra performed the first ever concert in stereophonic 
sound there in 1933, and in 1939, the Philadelphia Orchestra recorded 
the soundtrack to Walt Disney's classic film, Fantasia, at the Academy.
  The Academy's history extends further than the opulent interior of 
the main hall and the magnificent performances that have graced its 
stage. An elegant restaurant was constructed in the basement in 1857 
for opera-goers and arts patrons. During World War II, the restaurant 
was converted into a canteen that hosted 2.5 million service men and 
women between the years of 1942 and 1945 who enjoyed performances by 
Abbott and Costello, Duke Ellington, Lynn Fontanne and Frank Sinatra.
  The Academy of Music continues to be the Philadelphia area's primary 
venue for the performing arts, hosting major Broadway productions, 
operatic performances and traveling dance and theater companies. It is 
with great pleasure that Senator Casey and I present this resolution 
honoring the Academy of Music's 150th Anniversary, and pay homage to an 
institution that has played a significant role in Philadelphia's 
vibrant arts community. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
the Academy of Music.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 43) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
  (The resolution will be printed in a future edition of the Record.)

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