[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 15, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H6502-H6504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1088) recognizing and commending the 
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 50 years of service as a vital 
American cultural ambassador to the world, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1088

       Whereas the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (``AAADT'') 
     is widely recognized as one of the world's premier modern 
     dance companies;
       Whereas the AAADT is dedicated to promoting the uniqueness 
     of the African-American cultural experience and the 
     preservation and enrichment of the modern dance heritage to 
     people across the globe;
       Whereas, over its 50-year history, the AAADT has performed 
     for an estimated 21,000,000 people in 48 States and in 71 
     countries on 6 continents;
       Whereas the AAADT has an extensive touring record;
       Whereas the AAADT's signature work, ``Revelations'', has 
     been seen by more people across the globe than any other work 
     of dance;
       Whereas the AAADT performs works by both emerging and 
     established choreographers from throughout the United States 
     and the world;
       Whereas the AAADT's home in New York City, the Joan Weill 
     Center for Dance, is the largest facility dedicated 
     exclusively to dance in the United States;
       Whereas Alvin Ailey, founder of the AAADT, received the 
     United Nations Peace Medal in 1982;
       Whereas President George W. Bush recognized the AAADT and 
     Artistic Director Judith Jamison with the National Medal of 
     Arts in 2001, making the AAADT the first dance company to be 
     honored with this award;
       Whereas the AAADT has performed for United States 
     Presidents throughout the company's 50-year history, 
     including in 1968 for President Johnson, at the inaugural 
     gala in 1977 for President Carter, at the inaugural gala in 
     1993 for President Clinton, and at the state dinner honoring 
     President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya in 2003;
       Whereas, over the years, the AAADT has represented American 
     culture with performances at such historic events as the Rio 
     de Janeiro International Arts Festival in 1963, the first 
     Negro Arts Festival in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966, the fabled 
     New Year's Eve performance for the Crown Prince of Morocco in 
     1978, the Paris Centennial performance at the Grand Palais 
     Theatre in 1989, two unprecedented engagements in South 
     Africa in 1997 and 1998, the 1996 and 2002 Olympic games, the 
     2005 ``Stars of the White Nights'' festival in St. 
     Petersburg, Russia, and the 2006 Les etes de la danse de 
     Paris festival in Paris, France;
       Whereas the AAADT annually provides more than 100,000 young 
     people from diverse cultural, social, and economic 
     backgrounds the opportunity to explore their creative 
     potential and build their self-esteem through

[[Page H6503]]

     its Arts In Education and Community Programs, including 9 
     Ailey Camps in cities across the United States;
       Whereas Ailey II, the junior company, reaches more than 
     69,000 people each year through its inspiring performances 
     and outreach activities while touring to smaller communities 
     in more than 50 North American cities; and
       Whereas the Ailey School, accredited by the National 
     Association of Schools of Dance, provides the highest quality 
     training consistent with the professional standards of the 
     AAADT, including a Certificate Program, a Fellowship Program, 
     and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in conjunction 
     with Fordham University: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes and commends the Alvin Ailey American Dance 
     Theater for 50 years of service as a vital American cultural 
     ambassador to the world, during which it has provided world-
     class American modern dance to an estimated 21,000,000 people 
     across the globe;
       (2) recognizes that the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 
     has been a true pioneer in the world of dance by establishing 
     an extended cultural community which provides dance 
     performances, training, and community programs for all people 
     while using the beauty and humanity of the African-American 
     heritage and other cultures to unite people of all ages, 
     races, and backgrounds; and
       (3) recognizes that Ailey II, the prestigious Ailey School, 
     and Ailey's extensive and innovative Arts In Education and 
     Community Programs train future generations of dancers and 
     choreographers while continuing to expose young people from 
     communities large and small to the arts.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous 
material on H. Res. 1088 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1088 and thank Mr. 
Nadler for introducing this resolution. H. Res. 1088 commends the Alvin 
Ailey Dance Theater for its excellence, impact and service to the arts.
  Alvin Ailey's Dance Theater is referred to by many as the world's 
premier dance company. AAADT promotes aspects of the African American 
experience while preserving modern dance heritage to millions across 
the globe. Its long-standing accomplishments and the rich global 
impacts speak volumes about the company's caliber of talent and unique 
mission.
  Alvin Ailey founded AAADT in 1958. As a child, Ailey developed a keen 
interest in art. In his high school years, he began taking dance 
classes with Katherine Dunham, a pioneer of African modern dance. 
However, Ailey's most important influence came from Lester Horton. 
Horton led a team of racially mixed dancers. Ailey, however, took over 
the team once Horton passed away in 1953. Five years later, Alvin Ailey 
founded AAADT.
  Both the founder and other leaders of the organization have made 
outstanding accomplishments and have been recognized for their 
contributions to the arts. In 1982 Ailey received the United Nations of 
Peace Medal. President George W. Bush recognized AAADT and Artistic 
Director Judith Jamison with the National Medal of Arts in 2001. Until 
that point, a dance ensemble had never received such an award. The 
recognition this dance company receives is well-deserved.
  AAADT has performed for an estimated 21 million people in 48 States, 
71 countries, and 6 continents. This company tours more than any other 
performing arts company. The Joan Weill Center for Dance, the studio 
for AAADT, is the largest facility dedicated exclusively to dance in 
the United States.
  AAADT has performed before numerous distinguished audiences, 
including President Johnson, President Carter, President Clinton, and 
President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya. They have also represented themselves 
at famous historical engagements such as the Rio de Janeiro 
International Arts Festival, the First Negro Arts Festival in Dakar, 
the fabled New Year's Eve performance for the Crown Prince of Morocco, 
the Paris Centennial performance at the Grand Palais Theatre, South 
Africa, and two Olympic games.
  In addition to the stellar performances, AAADT has also worked with 
more than 100,000 young folks every year to assist them in discovering 
their creative talents and help build their self-esteem through their 
artistic skills. The Arts in Education and Community Programs includes 
nine Ailey Camps across the United States. They also have implemented 
an Ailey II, a junior company, to train less experienced dancers to 
perform across North America. These young people come from various 
cultural, social, and economic backgrounds to come together to empower 
themselves and to learn art.
  In recognition of 50 amazing years of excellence, let us commend 
AAADT for their contributions to the United States and the rest of the 
world. It has established an extended cultural community that provides 
dance performances, training, and community programs for all people 
while using the beauty and humanity of the African American heritage 
and other cultures. AAADT is irreplaceable.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for Alvin Ailey 
American Dance Theater, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1088, recognizing and 
commending the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 50 years of 
service as a vital American cultural ambassador to the world.
  The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was formed in March 1958. Led 
by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African American modern dancers, 
their combination of technique, repertoire, and high-energy 
performances changed forever the perception of American dance.
  The dance company began to travel throughout the country, and in 
1960, the AAADT became a resident company of the 51st Street YWCA's 
Clark Center for the Performing Arts. It was during this time period 
that Ailey choreographed his signature work ``Revelations'' which has 
been seen by more people across the globe than any other work of dance. 
In 1962, the company was chosen to tour the Far East, Southeast Asia, 
and Australia as part of President John F. Kennedy's ``President's 
Special International Program for Cultural Presentations.''
  AAADT made its performance at the New York City Center in 1971, where 
it is currently the resident company. AAADT celebrated its 25th 
anniversary in 1980 and its founder, Alvin Ailey, received the United 
Nations Peace Medal in 1982. When Ailey died in 1989, Judith Jamison, a 
former principal dancer, assumed the role of artistic director.
  Despite the loss of its founder, AAADT has thrived. Following tours 
in Russia, France, and Cuba in the 1990s, as well as residency in South 
Africa in 1997, the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation broke ground for a new 
dance complex in Manhattan. It is the largest facility dedicated 
exclusively to dance in the United States.
  Every year the company provides more than 100,000 youth from diverse 
backgrounds the opportunity to explore their creative potential and 
build their self-esteem through its Arts in Education and Community 
Programs, including nine Ailey Camps in cities throughout the country.
  Today, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has gone on to perform for 
an estimated 21 million people in 48 States and in 71 countries on 6 
continents, including two historic residencies in South Africa. The 
company has earned a reputation as one of the most acclaimed 
international ambassadors of American culture, promoting the uniqueness 
of the African American cultural experience and the preservation and 
enrichment of American modern dance.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution 
honoring the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which is celebrating 
its 50th anniversary. I would like to thank

[[Page H6504]]

Chairman Miller, Ranking Member McKeon, and the rest of my colleagues 
on the Education and Labor Committee for bringing this resolution to 
the floor.
  Founded in 1958, Ailey has become widely recognized as one of the 
world's premier modern dance companies. In its 50-year history, Ailey 
has performed for an estimated 21 million people in 71 countries on six 
continents. The troupe's signature work, ``Revelations,'' has been seen 
by more people across the globe than any other work of dance.
  Alvin Ailey was born into an impoverished childhood in the small, 
segregated town of Rogers, Texas. Dedicated to promoting the uniqueness 
of the African-American cultural experience, Ailey began offering 
opportunities to black dancers when there were few. ``Revelations,'' 
which draws upon the influences of black spirituals, gospel music, and 
blues, epitomizes the universality of art that Ailey sought to explore. 
Of this groundbreaking work, he said: ``Its roots are in American Negro 
culture, which is part of the whole country's heritage. The dance 
speaks to everyone.''
  By 1963, the troupe had begun welcoming dancers of diverse 
ethnicities and backgrounds, and translating their experiences into 
some of the most riveting works of dance of the 20th century. The 
company now performs works by a wide range of choreographers, both 
emerging and established, from across the globe, totaling more than 200 
works by over 70 choreographers.
  In 1982, Alvin Ailey received the United Nations Peace Medal, and in 
2001, President George W. Bush recognized the Ailey and Artistic 
Director Judith Jamison with the National Medal of Arts, making the 
Ailey the first dance company to be honored with this award.
  Ailey continues to make a lasting impact in the dance world through 
its arts in education and community programs, which provide more than 
100,000 young people from diverse cultural, social, and economic 
backgrounds the opportunity to explore their creative potential, not 
only in New York, but in cities throughout the United States. Ailey II, 
the junior company, reaches more than 69,000 people each year, and 
brings its inspiring performances to smaller communities across North 
America.
  I am proud that Ailey calls my congressional district in New York 
City home, and has made the Joan Weill Center for Dance the largest 
facility dedicated exclusively to dance in the United States.
  I wish to thank Ailey for all it has done to break cultural barriers 
through the arts. I especially want to thank Judith Jamison, Artistic 
Director, and Sharon Gersten Luckman, Executive Director, who keep 
Alvin Ailey's artistic and social vision alive today.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution congratulating 
the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for its 50 years as a cultural 
ambassador to the world, and thanking them for their outstanding 
service to future generations of artists.

                              {time}  1245

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1088, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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