IV

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 229

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States Congressional

Philharmonic Society and its mission of promoting musical excellence

throughout the educational system and encouraging people of all ages

to commit to the love and expression of musical performance.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOVEMBER 16, 1999

Mr. DAVIS of Virginia submitted the following concurrent resolution; which

was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United

States Congressional Philharmonic Society and its mission of promoting musical excellence throughout the educational system and encouraging people of all ages to

commit to the love and expression of musical performance.

Whereas in February 1996, several Senators and members of

the House of Representatives participated in a performance of the Broadway musical ‘‘1776’’, a story depicting

the signing of the Declaration of Independence;

Whereas in April 1996 several Senators and members of the

House of Representatives met with Maestro Martin

Piecuch, the music director of the musical ‘‘1776’’, and

formed the United States Congressional Choral Society;
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Whereas on May 20, 1998, the United States Congressional

Choral Society debuted at St. Joseph’s Church on Capitol

Hill, with standing ovations following its rendition of the

‘‘Song of Democracy’’ and the ‘‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’’;

Whereas on March 13, 1999, the United States Congressional Philharmonic Orchestra String Quartet played before the Ambassador to the United States from Canada

at the Embassy of Canada in the District of Columbia;

Whereas on March 19, 1999, the United States Congressional Choral Society appeared in performance at the

Washington National Cathedral;

Whereas on May 13, 1999, the United States Congressional

Philharmonic Orchestra String Quartet played before a

gathering of Ambassadors at the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room of the United States Department of State;

Whereas the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society is approved as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

under the Internal Revenue Code and is a corporation in

good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

Whereas the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society will offer free concerts to the public in the Washington metropolitan area;

Whereas the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society will encourage the development of young musical talent across the United States by providing educational

programs for schools across the nation and establishing

internships and scholarships; and

Whereas the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society envisions holding a series of concerts focusing on
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themes such as Celebrations of America, Salutes to the

States, a Great Americans series, and an International

Congressional Concert series: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the

3 United States Congressional Philharmonic Society should

4 be applauded—

5 (1) for organizing two musical groups, the

6 United States Congressional Choral Society and the

7 United States Congressional Philharmonic Orches8 tra;

9 (2) for having as its mission the promotion of

10 patriotism, freedom, democracy, and understanding

11 of American culture through sponsorship, manage12 ment, and support of these groups and their deriva13 tive ensembles as they communicate through the

14 international language of music in concerts and

15 other multimedia performances in the District of Co16 lumbia and throughout the United States and the

17 world; and

18 (3) for promoting musical excellence throughout

19 the educational system, from pre-school through

20 post-graduate, and encouraging people of all ages to

21 commit to the love and expression of musical per22 formance.

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