Senate passes resolution for World Choir Games | Community Spirit

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX19) - Friday the U.S. Senate passed a resolution from Ohio's Senators, Rob Portman (R-Terrace Park, OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-Avon, OH) welcomed the passage of their Senate Resolution recognizing the global significance and economic impact of Cincinnati as the first U.S. city to host the World Choir Games from July 4-14, 2012.

The resolution also designates July 2012 as World Choir Games Month in the United States.

“I’m glad that visitors from around the globe will have the opportunity to see all that Cincinnati has to offer when it hosts the World Choir Games,” said Portman. “I’m proud of our world class city, and my family and I are proud to support the games, which will be a great economic boost to local businesses and Ohio’s tourism industry, generating an estimated $73.5 million into the local economy.”

“Cincinnati’s vibrant arts community will be on a world stage this summer during the World Choir games,” Brown said. “From Cincinnati’s Music Hall to Union Terminal to the Riverfront, visitors from around the world will realize that the Queen City isn’t just a gateway to America’s west – Cincinnati is an open-door to the best of American culture, hospitality, and spirit.”

The World Choir Games, the “Olympics of choral music,” aims to increase global cultural understanding through singing in peaceful competition. The event is expected to bring over 200,000 visitors from around the world to Cincinnati. 

Here is a copy of the Senate Resolution:

SENATE RESOLUTION

112th Congress – 1st Session
Senate Resolution (#)

Recognizing the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati (OH) as a global event of cultural significance to the United States and expressing support for designation of July 2012 as World Choir Games Month in the United States of America.

RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 7th World Choir Games to be hosted in Cincinnati (OH) in 2012 as a global event of cultural significance to the United States and expressing support for designation of July 2012 as World Choir Games Month in the United States of America.

Whereas, the World Choir Games, the largest choral competition in the world, takes place every two years and is known as the “Olympics of choral music” with a goal to unite people from all nations through singing in peaceful competition;

Whereas, from July 4 through July 14 in 2012, Cincinnati (OH) will be first city in America to host the World Choir Games;

Whereas, the 7th World Choir Games is expected to include more than 400 choirs from more than 70 countries, 20,000 official participants, including performers, event officials, delegations and international jury members, and up to 200,000 spectators;

Whereas, the choirs will compete in 23 different musical genres evaluated  by an impartial international jury of choral music experts and the genres of barbershop and show choir will be added as competition categories for the first time in recognition of their popularity in America;

Whereas, the uniting of peoples of the world through singing in peaceful competition in America in 2012 affirms America’s commitment to global cultural awareness, understanding and appreciation;

Whereas, it is appropriate to designate July 2012 as World Choir Games Month in the United States of America:

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved that the United States Senate

(1)   Recognizes the global significance of the 7th World Choir Games to be hosted in Cincinnati (OH) from July 4-14, 2012;

(2)   Recognizes Interkultur, the Cincinnati Organizing Committee of the 7th World Choir Games, the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau, the city of Cincinnati and the State of Ohio for their efforts to secure and host this event;

(3)   Expresses its appreciation to all peoples of the world who will either participate in competition or as visitors, and to all of the volunteers who will welcome the participants and visitors to America;

(4)   Supports the designation of July 2012 as World Choir Games Month in the United States of America; and

(5)   Renews the United States commitment to world peace and friendship and the notion of increasing global cultural understanding through singing in peaceful competition.

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