[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23408]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMENDING BARTER THEATRE

  Mr. WEBB. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 416, which was 
received from the House.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 416) commending the 
     Barter Theatre on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution 
honoring a longstanding landmark of Virginia's southwest, Barter 
Theatre. Located in Abingdon, VA, Barter Theatre first opened in June 
of 1933 and remains open to this day, having never closed its doors in 
its 75 years of history.
  The roots of Barter Theatre are found in what it calls ``a unique 
beginning,'' during a time in our Nation's history when many Americans, 
including Virginians, were focused on financial woes. It was the Great 
Depression, and a young man named Robert Porterfield was inspired by 
providing theater tickets to the many and not just to those who could 
afford them. It was the idea of bartering goods for services that 
served as the foundation for this successful endeavor and earned 
Porterfield's theater its name.
  By trading goods for theater tickets, Porterfield was able to fill 
the seats of his theater. The price of admission was 40 cents, but if 
you had no money to spare, you could bring the equivalent in produce. 
Whether it was vegetables, dairy products, or a chicken, if it was 
worth 40 cents, it was worth entrance. The idea of bartering goods for 
services is by no means a unique idea, but it is an idea that allowed 
many Virginians the opportunity to enjoy the arts. The idea of trading 
``ham for Hamlet,'' as Barter Theatre calls it, was a success, a 
success that allowed the theater to endure to today.
  In 1946, the Virginia General Assembly designated Barter Theatre as 
the State Theatre of Virginia, the first theater in the Commonwealth of 
Virginia to receive this distinction, and rightly so. The excellence of 
Barter reaches far beyond the lengthy list of famous actors who have 
graced its stage throughout its years and touches more on its efforts 
to enrich and enhance the culture of our Commonwealth.
  The impact of this historic theater does not go unnoticed in 
southwest Virginia, as it has continually aimed to increase levels of 
artistic development in the region. Each year, Barter Theatre's 
Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights showcases and honors 
Appalachian history and culture for all to see upon its stage. I also 
want to recognize the efforts of Barter Theatre as they continue 
educational outreach programs to Virginia's youth. Several programs, 
such as the Young Playwrights Festival, the Internet Distance Learning 
Program, the Student Matinee Program, and the theatre's touring 
company, are in place and continue to foster creativity through 
playwrighting and theatrical performances.
  I must note that Barter Theatre remains true to its humble beginnings 
and pays homage to its history. At least one performance a year 
celebrates the Barter heritage by accepting donations for an area food 
bank as the price of admission. An endeavor rooted in the ideals of 
community continues to give back to that community today.
  I am pleased by the passage of H. Con. Res. 416, and I thank my 
colleagues in joining me in support of this resolution.
  Mr. WEBB. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 416) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.

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