[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNITION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA AZALEA FESTIVAL

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                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2008

  Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to 
ask you to join me in recognizing the long and important tradition of 
the North Carolina Azalea Festival, held each year in Wilmington, NC. 
The North Carolina Azalea Festival's rich history reminds us of its 
rightful place among our nationally-recognized festivals.
  Founded in 1948 as the Wilmington Azalea Festival, the festival has 
since grown and is now recognized at the North Carolina Azalea 
Festival. Now, preparing for its 62nd year, this festival deserves to 
be nationally recognized as a valuable tradition. It is a unique 
showcase for our community's rich array of artwork, gardens, history 
and culture through recreational, educational and family-oriented 
events. Furthermore, the Festival encourages volunteerism and civic 
participation as it contributes to the region's economy and promotes 
the rare qualities of Wilmington's river-to-the-sea community.
  Throughout the last 62 years the North Carolina Azalea Festival has 
brought numerous entertainers and celebrities to the port city, 
including Frankie Avalon, Cab Calloway, Dionne Warwick, Bob Hope, 
Barbara Mandrell, Marie Osmond, Tom Jones, the Judds, Frank Sinatra, 
Ronald Reagan, the Beach Boys, Tim McGraw, Jessica Simpson, and Carrie 
Underwood. Also, it is attended each year by local, State and 
nationally-elected officials. The 3-day Street Fair along the Cape Fear 
Riverwalk brings hundreds of thousands of people out to see the local 
entertainers, arts, crafts, and food booths, multicultural stage 
performances, fireworks show, and of course the annual North Carolina 
Azalea Festival Parade. A Coin Show, Horse Show, Boxing Event, Circus, 
Shag Contest, Queen's Coronation, and Variety Show are among the other 
events put on by the Festival. Wilmingtonians have long worked to 
organize this legendary festival so that Americans might come from near 
and far to enjoy its distinctive charm.
  Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me to speak about one of North 
Carolina's most treasured events. I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognition of the North Carolina Azalea Festival as a great 
American tradition.

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