[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2637]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 89--CONGRATULATING THE OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ON 
                             ITS 80TH YEAR

  Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 89

       Whereas 2015 marks the 80th anniversary of the Oregon 
     Shakespeare Festival, a major theater arts organization in 
     Ashland, Oregon, founded by Angus L. Bowmer in 1935;
       Whereas the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is one of the 
     oldest and largest professional nonprofit theaters in the 
     United States;
       Whereas Samuel Johnson wrote that William Shakespeare is 
     ``above all writers, at least above all modern writers . . . 
     the poet that holds up to his readers a faithful mirror of 
     manners and of life'';
       Whereas William Shakespeare has had an extraordinary impact 
     on culture and politics in the United States, including in 
     the Senate;
       Whereas the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival 
     includes performances not only of the works of Shakespeare 
     but also of the works of classic and contemporary 
     playwrights;
       Whereas since its founding, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival 
     has presented, on its Ashland, Oregon stages, 29,300 
     performances to more than 15,000,000 audience members;
       Whereas the Oregon Shakespeare Festival serves as a 
     cornerstone of the economy of southwest Oregon and the entire 
     Pacific Northwest, providing jobs for more than 500 
     individuals and nearly 700 volunteers and attracting tourists 
     throughout the United States and the world; and
       Whereas the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is committed to the 
     inclusion of diverse people, ideas, cultures, and traditions: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Oregon Shakespeare Festival on its 
     80th year;
       (2) recognizes and commends the cultural, economic, and 
     social value provided by the work of the Oregon Shakespeare 
     Festival; and
       (3) expresses support for the continued success of the 
     Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

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