[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 27220]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ABILENE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

 Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to note a very important event for the city of Abilene, 
Texas. On December 2 of this year, the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra 
celebrated its 50th anniversary. This is one of Abilene's oldest 
performing arts organizations. This great symphony orchestra enriches 
the cultural life of this city in a unique way. It has drawn top 
quality musicians to this wonderful city. Abilene is now a city where 
talented musicians can also teach and perform. When the Philharmonic 
started in 1950, concerts were held in the old Abilene High School with 
audiences of less that 100 people. Now, the Abilene Philharmonic


Orchestra performs in the Abilene Civic Center with crowds averaging 
2,000. I would not only like to acknowledge this organization for their 
50th anniversary, but also the enormous impact they have had on the 
Abilene community.

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