[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRENDAN F. BOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a 
member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and proud Philadelphian.
   Today, the world famous Philadelphia Orchestra departs for a three 
country tour of Asia. In these uncertain times as my colleagues and I 
focus on East Asia, I think we can all agree that the Philadelphia 
Orchestra is a critical tool in the diplomatic toolbox.
   Working with our diplomats at the Department of State and with 
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf's Department of Community and Economic 
Development, over 150 Pennsylvania musicians, non-profit and business 
leaders will travel to China, Mongolia and Korea.
   In China, they will celebrate 45 years since President Richard Nixon 
and Secretary Henry Kissinger personally requested that they open 
bilateral relations for our two countries. They will engage in 
innovative people to people diplomacy.
   In Mongolia, they will celebrate 30 years of U.S.-Mongolia bilateral 
relations. They are the first western orchestra to visit this proud 
democracy who often labels the United States its ``third neighbor.'' I 
was honored when the President of Mongolia visited Philadelphia in 
September 2016.
   The trip to Korea has taken on added importance this year. The 
delegation will include proud Korean Americans who are constituents of 
mine. Philadelphia and Incheon are Sister Cities. My district is home 
to a vibrant Korean-American community that has made successful 
contributions to the area. Large public concerts and events in Korea 
will demonstrate for the world to see the unbreakable bond between our 
two countries.
   As we focus our attention on the geopolitics of East Asia, I think 
we can all agree that this tour could not come at a more important 
time.

                          ____________________