[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 184 (Friday, December 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNITION OF THE ST. LOUIS BALLET IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

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                           HON. W. TODD AKIN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 2, 2011

  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the St. Louis Ballet 
located in St. Louis, Missouri.
  For over ten years, Gen Horiuchi has served as the artistic director 
of the St. Louis Ballet. His international reputation with major 
choreographers throughout the world has enabled the St. Louis Ballet to 
bring original productions to the St. Louis region.
  The St. Louis Ballet has played a vital role in community development 
by facilitating culture and arts in the St. Louis area. The ballet has 
been involved in community outreach to foster children in offering free 
private lessons and to Senior Assisted Living facilities in making the 
art of ballet and ballet performances more accessible.
  Ballet truly is an artistic skill that embodies the American spirit 
as much as it emboldens young people to push limits and succeed in 
whatever they chose to do. The St. Louis Ballet School does just that 
as it produces many fine dancers that demonstrate high degrees of 
teamwork, care for others, respect, and discipline. Mr. Horiuchi's 
ballet is constantly transitioning and evolving, allowing for greater 
expression and freedom to explore and to advance. It is traits like 
these that Americans are hungry for in this current time in our 
history.
  I congratulate the St. Louis Ballet's exemplary example of the 
leadership St. Louis and in Missouri as a whole. I am pleased to honor 
them in their continued endeavor to bring art and culture to the St. 
Louis region.

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