[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24374]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHINESE ART AND CULTURE

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign 
Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Con. 
Res. 56 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the concurrent resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 56) expressing 
     appreciation for the contribution of Chinese art and culture 
     and recognizing the Festival of China at the Kennedy Center.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and that any statements relating to this measure be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 56) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 56

       Whereas mutual cultural understanding and appreciation 
     helps to advance the overall bilateral relationship between 
     the United States and China;
       Whereas Chinese cultural achievements have enriched the 
     world for over 5,000 years;
       Whereas Chinese artists both in China and in the United 
     States have excelled in music, dance, fashion, theater, film, 
     and the visual arts;
       Whereas the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 
     is hosting a month-long celebration of Chinese cultural 
     contributions at the Festival of China in October 2005;
       Whereas the event, with more than 50 performances and 
     exhibitions and over 800 artists, will be the largest 
     festival in the history of the Kennedy Center;
       Whereas the Kennedy Center characterizes the Festival of 
     China as the ``the largest celebration of Chinese performing 
     arts in American history'';
       Whereas events like the Festival of China, along with 
     efforts to promote educational and scientific cooperation 
     between the United States and China, further mutual 
     understanding between our two societies;
       Whereas publicly- and privately-funded exchange programs 
     and other forms of Sino-American contacts foster positive 
     relations; and
       Whereas cultural events like the Festival of China help 
     strengthen diplomatic, commercial, and political cooperation 
     between the United States and China: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the diverse array of cultural contributions made by 
     Chinese artists based in China, the United States, and around 
     the world benefit the entire international community;
       (2) the Kennedy Center, along with the Chinese Ministry of 
     Culture, should be commended for promoting Chinese 
     achievement in the arts at the Festival of China;
       (3) the significant undertaking and efforts necessary to 
     organize the Festival of China provides a unique opportunity 
     for bilateral cooperation;
       (4) building upon the Festival of China, additional efforts 
     that promote cultural understanding between the United States 
     and China should be encouraged;
       (5) the United States and China should work to promote 
     cultural, as well as scientific and educational, cooperation 
     between the two countries;
       (6) the United States and China should continue to promote 
     exchange programs, such as the Festival of China, as a vital 
     tool for advancing mutual understanding and cooperation 
     between the people of the United States and the people of 
     China; and
       (7) the hundreds of performers and individuals who have 
     contributed their time and effort to make this landmark 
     celebration of Chinese culture and the arts a success are to 
     be congratulated.

                          ____________________