[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 143 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S7097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CARNEGIE HALL

 Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, with great pleasure and pride, 
I wish to recognize the 125th anniversary of Carnegie Hall in New York 
City. At the ceremonial laying of the cornerstone of Carnegie Hall in 
1890, Andrew Carnegie declared: ``It is built to stand for ages, and 
during these ages it is probable that this Hall will intertwine itself 
with the history of our country.''
  The Hall has intertwined itself with the history of the United States 
but also with the history of the world. Today Carnegie Hall is the 
world's most recognized performing arts center and is a global symbol 
of artistic excellence. For 125 years the Hall has defined and shaped 
the future of music, and it continues in that leadership role today.
  The Hall has hosted world leaders, American presidents, authors, 
activists and intellectuals. The Hall's greatest influence, however, is 
through sound. Carnegie Hall's three performance centers project all 
forms of music to listeners around the world. Musicians from all 
corners of the globe strive to perform at Carnegie Hall. The Hall is a 
beacon inspiring and attracting the world's finest musicians in all 
genres.
  Less known but equally important, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music 
Institute produces an extraordinary range of music education and 
community programs that extend far outside the physical walls of its 
concert halls. Its music education in New York City schools serves as a 
laboratory of best practices for performing arts centers in major urban 
areas. Carnegie Hall provides and supports a partnership curriculum for 
81 orchestras throughout the United States and abroad to work with 
local school students in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Its 
highly acclaimed National Youth Orchestra of the United States--
recently returned from a tour of China--helps build the next generation 
of musicians into lifelong community leaders and contributors. In the 
2015-2016 season these programs will reach millions people in New York 
City, across the United States, and around the globe.
  In the spirit of Andrew Carnegie and of bold endeavors to tackle 
contemporary challenges, Carnegie Hall has recently initiated work to 
eliminate the music education ``access gap'' in schools throughout our 
nation. Carnegie Hall's leadership, from volunteers, trustees, to staff 
at all levels, are committed to quality and to equity of opportunity 
regardless of circumstance.
  Carnegie Hall's 125th opening night will occur on October 7th. I rise 
to commend the Hall's leadership, volunteers, contributors, performing 
artists, and staff. Carnegie Hall is a global icon symbolizing artistic 
excellence, achievement, and the power of music to feed our souls and 
bring people together. Congratulations, Carnegie Hall.

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