IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 687 

Expressing support for dance as a form of valuable exercise and of artistic 

expression, and for the designation of September 16, 2023, as ‘‘National 

Dance Day’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 

Ms. NORTON submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for dance as a form of valuable exercise 

and of artistic expression, and for the designation of 

September 16, 2023, as ‘‘National Dance Day’’. 

Whereas Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer and cocreator of 

the dance-themed television show ‘‘So You Think You 

Can Dance’’, in association with the American Dance 

Movement, has encouraged the creation of National 

Dance Day celebrations across the country, beginning 

with the first National Dance Day on the National Mall 

in 2010; 

Whereas the American Dance Movement and the John F. 

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in conjunction 

with the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, will celebrate National Dance Day on September 16, 


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2 

•HRES 687 IH 

2023, in the District of Columbia, through events hosted 

by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; 

Whereas National Dance Day has captured the imagination 

of people throughout the Nation and around the world, 

and has helped popularize dance as an art form, as a 

form of exercise, and as a way of having fun; 

Whereas States, the District of Columbia, territories, and cities across the country have been encouraged to celebrate 

National Dance Day with events; 

Whereas National Dance Day will be celebrated this year 

with events cohosted by the American Dance Movement 

and the— 

(1) John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing 

Arts in the District of Columbia; and 

(2) Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, 

California; 

Whereas National Dance Day encourages many forms of 

dance expression, representing the Nation’s rich artistic, 

regional, ethnic, and racial diversity; 

Whereas National Dance Day features the full spectrum of 

dance, from classical, to popular, to line and partner 

dances; 

Whereas, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop as a 

genre, National Dance Day will be focusing on Hip Hop 

dance and expression in its many forms; 

Whereas dance helps improve heart health, burn calories, 

strengthen muscles, and improve flexibility for people of 

all ages; 

Whereas health officials have repeatedly documented an overweight and obesity epidemic in the United States; 


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•HRES 687 IH 

Whereas dance, in all its variations, is a popular form of exercise; 

Whereas this year at the John F. Kennedy Center for the 

Performing Arts, organizations and individuals will entertain and encourage dance, with interactive classes and 

performances for the whole family; 

Whereas, in advance of National Dance Day, instructional 

videos are available on the American Dance Movement 

YouTube channel featuring the official dance routine, 

translatable for all abilities and skill levels, to be performed by audiences on National Dance Day; and 

Whereas National Dance Day has been celebrated annually 

for the past 13 years: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National 

3 Dance Day’’ to celebrate and encourage a national 

4 commitment to dance and dance education; 

5 (2) acknowledges that dance is making an im6 portant contribution to health by encouraging phys7 ical fitness and reducing overweight and obesity; 

8 (3) commends Nigel Lythgoe for his leadership 

9 in promoting dance and National Dance Day; and 

10 (4) thanks the John F. Kennedy Center for the 

11 Performing Arts and American Dance Movement for 

12 their continuing efforts to spread awareness of Na13 tional Dance Day and the many benefits of dance. 

Æ 


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