[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11245]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 220--COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MEDORA 
                                MUSICAL

  Ms. HEITKAMP (for herself and Mr. Hoeven) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 220

       Whereas the Medora Musical, a nationally renowned musical 
     production of Western American patriotism, held its first 
     production on July 1, 1965, alongside what is now the 
     Theodore Roosevelt National Park;
       Whereas more than 3,500,000 guests have experienced the 
     incredible tribute in the Medora Musical to Theodore 
     Roosevelt and his life in the North Dakota Badlands;
       Whereas the Burning Hills Amphitheater, which is home to 
     the Medora Musical and overlooks the Little Missouri River 
     Valley, seats as many as 2,900 guests each night and features 
     the Burning Hills Singers, the Coal Diggers Band, and various 
     comedy and variety acts;
       Whereas thousands of performers audition to join the 
     professional team of the Medora Musical and work alongside 
     300 annual employees representing 20 or more countries and 
     more than 500 volunteers to create one of the finest 
     attractions in North Dakota;
       Whereas each summer, the Medora Musical runs an impressive 
     season with a 2 hour show every night for 94 consecutive 
     days;
       Whereas the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, 
     established in 1986 by philanthropist and entrepreneur Harold 
     Schafer, has played a profound role in promoting North Dakota 
     tourism and bringing families of all generations together;
       Whereas the city of Medora, North Dakota, home to the 
     Medora Musical and gateway to the Theodore Roosevelt National 
     Park, hosts more than 250,000 visitors each year, and more 
     than 600,000 tourists from around the world visit the park 
     each year;
       Whereas the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, which has 
     invested more than $30,000,000 in Medora, North Dakota, 
     raised more than $36,000,000 in donations from more than 
     3,700 contributors to preserve the history of Medora, North 
     Dakota, and the values of President Theodore Roosevelt;
       Whereas President Theodore Roosevelt, following his time in 
     the Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, likened the wondrous 
     appeal of the Badlands to a one-of-a-kind beauty found 
     nowhere else in the world;
       Whereas President Theodore Roosevelt often said he would 
     not have been President had it not been for his experiences 
     in North Dakota, and many of those experiences are preserved 
     today through the Medora Musical, Theodore Roosevelt National 
     Park, and the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation; and
       Whereas, on July 1, 2015, the Medora Musical celebrates its 
     50th anniversary: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Medora Musical on its 50th 
     anniversary;
       (2) recognizes the remarkable talents and achievements of 
     the many cast and crew members and volunteers of the Medora 
     Musical who embody the true spirit of the patriotism and 
     stewardship of the United States; and
       (3) acknowledges the contributions of the Theodore 
     Roosevelt Medora Foundation to preserving the life and legacy 
     of President Theodore Roosevelt.

                          ____________________