[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    SENATE RESOLUTION 634--RECOGNIZING THE CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL 
 CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX THROUGHOUT ITS 25 YEARS 
OF SERVICE AS THE NATIONAL YOUTH DANCE COMPETITION OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mrs. Blackburn) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 634

       Whereas the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) is recognized 
     as the largest in the world and the first in the United 
     States student ballet scholarship competition;
       Whereas YAGP is dedicated to bringing dance to the United 
     States and dance of the United States to the world;
       Whereas, over its 25-year history, YAGP has provided 
     scholarship opportunities to ballet students in all 50 States 
     and in more than 40 countries across 5 continents;
       Whereas YAGP has provided young dancers from all 50 States 
     the chance to perform professionally in the United States and 
     abroad;
       Whereas YAGP regularly conducts competitions, master 
     classes, education events, and performances in over 15 
     countries;
       Whereas YAGP has provided more than 250,000 dance students 
     of all backgrounds with the life-changing opportunity of 
     receiving top-quality dance education, allowing them to 
     pursue a career in dance;
       Whereas YAGP has awarded over $5,000,000 in scholarships to 
     world-renowned dance schools;
       Whereas, as a result of YAGP's work to provide a pathway 
     into ballet for individuals from all communities, the 
     representation of dancers of diverse backgrounds in the 
     United States and in international dance schools and 
     companies has increased by 30 percent;
       Whereas over 450 YAGP alumni are dancing professionally in 
     80 companies worldwide, including 60 YAGP alumni currently 
     dancing in American Ballet Theatre, recognized by the 
     Congress as America's National Ballet Company; and
       Whereas YAGP has been recognized for its contribution to 
     international dance by the United Nations Educational, 
     Scientific and Cultural Organization: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the Youth America Grand Prix for over 25 years 
     of service as the national youth dance competition of the 
     United States, during which it has provided world class 
     instruction and performances in all 50 States;
       (2) acknowledges that the Youth America Grand Prix also 
     serves as a platform for cross cultural exchanges for ballet 
     students from all 50 States of the United States and students 
     from around the globe;
       (3) recognizes that the Youth America Grand Prix's 
     groundbreaking and innovative education, outreach, 
     scholarship, and performance opportunities for talented young 
     dancers help support and develop dance artists in the United 
     States and abroad; and
       (4) celebrates Youth America Grand Prix's critical role in 
     ensuring the future of dance in the United States and 
     worldwide by supporting the next generation of talented young 
     dance artists and dance audiences.

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