February 5, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 3 3053 I have firsthand experience with the As always, I am grateful also for the [From the Washington Post, Feb. 5, 2007] effectiveness of multijurisdictional law leadership of Michael Myers, who has CONCERTED EFFORT—AN ANNIVERSARY AT THE enforcement efforts: the Rocky Moun- been with me for many years as staff KENNEDY CENTER tain High Intensity Drug Trafficking director of our HELP Committee. Walk into the Kennedy Center around 6 on Area program, and the various local But above all my special thanks go any given night, and, for only the price of multijurisdictional drug task forces in to Holly Fechner, my chief labor coun- your time, you might hear the National Colorado, have successfully leveraged sel. This momentous vote is a tribute Symphony Orchestra interpreting Mussorgsky, the Joffrey Ballet executing a Federal, State, and local resources to to her—to her skill, professionalism, and deep dedication to those who are pas de deux or the Shakespeare Theatre fight crime. I support applying this Company soliloquizing from ‘‘Twelfth model to the fight against gangs. the backbone of this country. Working Night.’’ If those offerings are too elevated for On the investigation and prosecution men and women in America could not you, the Kennedy Center’s programmers also front, I am pleased that the bill would have a better friend and champion. atrract a range of artists with alternative increase funding for the Justice De- Holly is a true leader, and we all owe styles, from folk musician Pete Seeger to partment, Federal prosecutors, and her a great debt today. punk legend Patti Smith to vocalist and re- FBI agents to coordinate Federal en- I commend Senator ENZI’s staff, too. cent Grammy winner Norah Jones. Katherine McGuire, Ilysse Schuman, Tonight’s performance will be especially forcement against violent gangs. memorable. Ten years ago today, the Ken- In regards to penalties for gang-re- Brian Hayes, Kyle Hicks, and Greg Dean. They are real professionals. It is nedy Center held its first free performance lated activity, this bill takes a sensible on its Millennium State, and every night approach. It would replace the current a pleasure to work with them, and I since, tourists and locals alike—more than 3 sentencing enhancement for gang-re- thank them for their courtesies. million so far, by the Kennedy Center’s reck- lated conduct with a new Federal Thanks, too, to Senator BAUCUS’ able oning—have had the opportunity to enjoy antigang law that directly criminalizes staff for making this victory possible— world-class performing arts, no expensive gang crimes—and related conspiracies Russ Sullivan, Pat Heck, and Bill tickets required. That’s 41,000 artists from Dauster. all 50 states and 50 countries to date. At a and attempts to commit crimes in fur- And special thanks for the able lead- time when metropolitan performing arts therance of a criminal gang. The bill ership of Senator REID’s staff, espe- centers around the country are coming up would also create new Federal offenses cially Darrel Thompson and Bob short on cash, it is refreshing to see Wash- prohibiting the recruitment of minors Greenawalt. And, of course, Marty ington’s center prioritize free, consistent and into a criminal gang. Paone, Lula Davis, Tim Mitchell, and quality performances accessible to the gen- eral public. The Kennedy Center’s adminis- Finally, the bill would authorize $3– Trish Engle as well. $5 million per year for the creation of trators should be proud of this milestone. a national gang violence prevention f Equally impressive is the Millennium training center and clearinghouse, TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE Stage’s nightly turnout, which programmers estimate at about 350 on average. And which would assist local law KENNEDY CENTER MILLENNIUM crowds at bigger shows range from 500 to sev- enforcment with training and the im- STAGE eral thousand, according to the Kennedy plementation of effective gang violence Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, this Center’s Garth Ross, who credits extensive prevention models. Since my time as weekend marked the 10th anniversary community outreach for the success of the attorney general, I have been acutely of the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Millennium Stage. It’s what Kennedy Center aware of the importance of effective Stage, a remarkable milestone for the President Michael Kaiser calls great art law enforcement training—and I am well-marketed. center and its special commitment to Tonight’s anniversary concert promises to pleased that this bill contains provi- reach out to the community and ex- be particularly memorable. The National sions which would directly address this pand opportunities for citizens and Symphony Orchestra, the Alvin Ailey Amer- important issue. visitors to enjoy exceptional perform- ican Dance Theater and rocker Sufjan Ste- This is a sensible, comprehensive ances. vens will perform. Tickes for those capacity- bill. By focusing on prevention, inves- At 6 p.m. every evening, 7 days a filling acts are already gone. But you can tigation, prosecution, punishment, and week, the center presents a free con- watch them on video screens in the Grand training, I am hopeful that it will give cert with live performers on the Mil- Foyer, catch the webcast on the Kennedy our law enforcement agencies—Fed- lennium Stage. Former chairman of Center’s Web site or show up any other day of the year to experience more free, live art. eral, State, and local—the resources the board Jim Johnson conceived the they need to effectively fight the idea and guided the center through its [From the Washington Post, Feb. 2, 2007] growth of gangs and gang activity. early performances. Ever since, a re- THE KENNEDY CENTER’S OPEN INVITATION markable series of talented musical f (By Richard Harrington) artists and performing artists have PASSAGE OF FAIR MINIMUM WAGE been a part of this effort, from classical With apologies to Joni Mitchell, people ACT OF 2007 have been playing real good for free for the to rock and roll, from Sweet Honey in past decade on the Kennedy Center’s Millen- Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, this the Rock, KC and the Sunshine Band, nium State. And though nobody stopped to momentous achievement that helps so to Norah Jones. hear Mitchell’s street clarinetist, that hasn’t many millions of Americans would not More than 3 million people have en- been a problem at the Millennium Stage have been possible without the dedica- joyed these free performances at the since guitarist Charlie Byrd and pianist Billy tion and hard work of our staff. center, and countless more have en- Taylor christened it in March 1997 in front of Of my own staff, I want to give a spe- joyed them on the Web casts. It is a a couple of thousand well-heeled Washing- cial thank you to Lauren McGarity for wonderful tradition in the Nation’s tonians. her strong commitment, her deep Ten years and more than 3 million visitors Capital, and I know that there will be later, the Millennium Stage remains without knowledge, and her hard work on this many more brilliant performances in equal: the only cultural institution in the issue over many months. Lauren, you the years ahead. world to offer free performances of jazz, clas- have really made a difference. I urge my colleagues to let their con- sical, dance, folk and more 24-7-365. And if I thank Portia Wu for her help and stituents know about these exciting you can’t make it there, you can watch it leadership and especially her able work performance opportunities. I ask unan- anywhere. Since April 1, 1999, almost all over the past 2 weeks in handling the imous consent that an editorial from Millenium Stage performances have been many amendments to this legislation. today’s Washington Post and an article streamed live on the Internet. Thanks also to Missy Rohrbach for from the Washington Post on February In the early days, when the concept of a helping us manage the floor schedule free-concert-a-day was still catching on, a 2 about the Millennium Stage anniver- little-known artist might attract a small and for all she does so well. sary be printed in the RECORD. crowd; on rare occasions, a choir might even Thanks, too, to Jonathan There being no objection, the mate- outnumber the audience. McCracken, Jeff Teitz, Dave Ryan, Es- rial was ordered to be printed in the But crowds numbering in the hundreds ther Olavarria, and Laura Capps. RECORD, as follows: have long become the norm in the Kennedy

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:05 Jun 07, 2017 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0685 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\BOUNDRECORD\BOOK 3\LOC FILES\BR05FE07.DAT BR05FE07 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with BOUND RECORD 3054 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 3 February 5, 2007 Center’s Grand Foyer, where folding chairs 10 years ago,’’ says James A. Johnson, chair- Hogg was acknowledging the broad spec- are set up to hold several hundred people, man emeritus of the Kennedy Center and the trum of performing arts offered, from cham- with an equal number sitting on the carpeted man most responsible for the Millennium ber music and jazz to folk, comedy, country stairs leading to either the Concert Hall or Stage, figuratively and literally. Johnson and bluegrass, and loads of dance and theater the Eisenhower Theater. and his wife, Maxine Isaacs, were founding both homegrown and international. Ross The Grand Foyer lives up to its name. It’s donors to the Millennium Stage Endowment notes the ‘‘increased presence of American one of the world’s largest rooms—someone Fund (to the tune of $1 million the first roots and traditional music and world roots came up with the fact that were the Wash- year), and he continues to attract donors to and traditional music, areas of strength that ington Monument laid horizontally inside, it cover the Millennium Stage’s annual $1.5 weren’t areas the center already had a would fit with 75 feet to spare—and can ac- million budget, including current sponsors strong demonstrated commitment to.’’ commodate about 4,500 people. But more Target and the Fannie Mae Foundation. ‘‘It’s performing arts for everyone, but not than 6,000 showed up in 2003 to see Colombian Johnson was chief executive of Fannie Mae at the same time,’’ Ross says. ‘‘Avant-garde superstar Juanes perform. Seating for the 6 before he began his tenure as the Kennedy jazz or new classical or really traditional p.m. concerts begins about 5:30 p.m., and for Center’s fourth chairman in 1996, and there is folk, from one show to the next, and one au- that concert, queues stretched from Hall of a link between his old job and the Per- dience to the next, it’s not everyone’s cup of Nations and Hall of States all the way forming Arts for Everyone initiative he in- tea, and that’s, in fact, our intent. That al- around the building. As people entered the troduced that year. A populist approach, lows us to be many things to many people, Grand Foyer, they could look through the Johnson says, ‘‘was very much central to my whereas, as an institution, we have more of huge glass wall and observe the River Ter- mind. At Fannie Mae, I had tried to be a [a defined] vision of what we are. Millennium race line moving as well—a gigantic, festive leader in diversity, in outreach to the com- Stage can supplement that in a sort of snake. munity, particularly the minority commu- micro-approach.’’ Whatever the program, the setting is nity. The phrase we used to use is we’ve got Take the Conservatory Project, which pre- splendid, particularly before daylight saving to be unmistakably clear that this institu- sents young artists in classical music, jazz, time kicks in. At sunset, light streams tion is not focused on ‘white people in black musical theater and opera from 14 leading through the glass wall facing the Potomac, tie.’ ’’ undergraduate and graduate conservatories, through landscaped willow trees on the River Johnson notes extensive outreach to Wash- colleges and universities, including the Terrace, a great location for before- or after- ington’s diplomatic enclaves and diverse eth- Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, performance strolls. The terrace overlooks nic communities and to schools. ‘‘We can’t New England Conservatory of Music and Bal- Theodore Roosevelt Island and the George- say we’re doing our jobs with an appropriate timore’s Peabody Conservatory of Music. town waterfront, and you can watch boats memorial to John F. Kennedy unless it is Two weeklong celebrations in February and floating downriver or the endless chain of clearly for everyone, and clearly welcoming May will feature top young artists making planes approaching Reagan National Airport. to everybody, and we take down the barrier their debuts in the Terrace Theater; many (The latter can be disconcerting for first- of cost so we don’t have an invisible barrier others will appear in the Grand Foyer. As timers; planes seem to be heading directly at to coming to the institution.’’ part of the 2005 Festival of China, 100 pia- the Kennedy Center before banking left for a And, Johnson adds, the Millennium Stage nists performed together on the South Plaza; landing.) was never just an experiment. ‘‘We always 96 of them were conservatory students. According to Garth Ross, director of the saw it as an essential, core commitment of ‘‘Our commitment to presenting students Kennedy Center’s Performing Arts for Every- the institution, to reach out to the city, to is tied in to our commitment to arts and one initiative, the Millennium Stage some- the international community, to people vis- education and the role that a national arts times makes use of the center’s other iting Washington from around the country. organization, can, should and, in this case, venues, as when the Concert Hall hosts the It’s essential that the program be diverse; does play in that,’’ says Ross, adding that it National Symphony Orchestra’s free per- it’s also essential that nobody need to plan doesn’t hurt for people to be able to say formances because ‘‘it’s the only place we or arrange to do it.’’ they’ve performed at the Kennedy Center. can accommodate them.’’ Last year’s inau- There is, after all, a Washington tradition Although the focus is on a mix of graduate, gural country music festival concluded with of free access: The Smithsonian Institution’s undergraduate and postgraduate students, 4,000 people crowding the South Plaza for a many museums don’t charge admission; nei- Millennium Stage also works with top public Western swing dance by Asleep at the Wheel. ther does the National Gallery of Art. school arts programs across the country and But nothing has ever been as complicated ‘‘But museums don’t change their collec- a dozen regional school districts during as Monday’s 10th anniversary celebration of tion every day,’’ Johnson says, adding that March’s Music in Our Schools programs. the Millennium Stage, with the center’s the Millennium Stage concept ‘‘was at a Ross says the Millennium Stage is also a three major halls offering free performances level of ambition that was substantial: Every platform for partnerships with embassies and by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater single day of the year, there will be a quality presenting organizations that ‘‘highlight in the Eisenhower Theater, the NSO in the performance in the Grand Foyer at 6 o’clock; Washington’s role in the cultural fabric of Concert Hall and indie rock icon Sufjan Ste- no ticket required, nor reservation required. America and the world.’’ That has allowed vens and members of the Kennedy Center Everyone’s welcome.’’ for performances by such great artists as Opera House Orchestra in the Opera House. Such ambition was in keeping with the na- Juanes, Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour and Nige- The U.S. Navy jazz ensemble, the Com- tional cultural center chartered by Congress ria’s King Sunny Ade, France’s Les Nubians modores, kicks things off at the regular Mil- in 1958 under President Dwight D. Eisen- and the Congolese ensemble Konono No. 1. lennium Stage. Tickets for the three shows hower and envisioned by President John F. Roland Celette, cultural attache at the were distributed last week, but you won’t Kennedy as a place belonging to every Amer- Embassy of France, says the Millennium need a ticket for the Grand Foyer, where all ican. Since its opening in 1971, it has become Stage has presented a wide variety of French the performances will be projected on large the nation’s busiest arts facility, presenting performers—‘‘from very classical music and screens. more than 3,300 performances a year, and be- contemporary dance to folk music, jazz and Ross calls Monday’s celebration ‘‘an en- came home to the National Symphony Or- a cappella ensembles’’—as part of, and apart deavor to be all things to all people in one chestra, the Washington Opera and the from, the 2004 Festival of France. Celette night in a way that’s representative of the Washington Ballet. says the French Embassy invites groups scope of our commitment and what we’ve The Kennedy Center is also a major des- ‘‘that are not so famous but are very good, so represented artistically over all these years. tination for tourists: Three million people it’s a good way for them to get through.... We’re going to be welcoming audiences into visit the center each year, and 1.2 million Of course, it’s very nice for them to have on our three largest theaters, hopefully cement- stay for paid performances. their re´sume´ an appearance at the Kennedy ing the notion that Millennium Stage is a Although many cultural institutions offer Center—it has a big prestige—and they very concept first, and not only a venue, but also free performances in some fashion, only Lon- much appreciate that everything is recorded knowing that the experience of being in don’s National Theatre approaches the Ken- and put on the Web site.’’ those theaters is part of the Kennedy Center nedy Center, offering free pre-performance Other partners include the American experience.’’ concerts in its Djanogly Concert Pitch Mon- Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, It’s the culmination of a decade-long effort day through Saturday and at lunchtime Sat- which annually presents ‘‘Homegrown: The to bring the performing arts to the widest urdays. Those concerts predate the Millen- Music of America’’ at the library and the possible audience, to reduce the venue’s nium Stage but are mostly chamber classical Millennium Stage, and the Smithsonian’s elitist image and to open its doors to young- and jazz. In 1998, Christopher Hogg, chairman annual Folklife Festival. There is some the- er, more economically and racially diverse of Reuters and the National Theatre, sent a ater and storytelling and a good amount of audiences that might not otherwise venture note to Johnson thanking the Kennedy Cen- dance. Much of the latter comes via inter- near the marble-and-glass edifice. ter and Millennium Stage for pointing the national programming, but the Millennium ‘‘It certainly feels to me that it has a way to ‘‘doing what’s new and innovative Stage commissions three new modern dance much, much broader constituency now than with free programming.’’ works every year.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 14:05 Jun 07, 2017 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0685 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\BOUNDRECORD\BOOK 3\LOC FILES\BR05FE07.DAT BR05FE07 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with BOUND RECORD February 5, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 3 3055 According to Ross, a father of two, Millen- Dr. Woo was born in 1937 in Shanghai, Today, he also serves as a trustee of nium Stage events are perfect starter con- China. On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong the University of Delaware; an Insti- certs. ‘‘Since there are no tickets involved, and the Communist Party took control tute Fellow at the Institute of Politics, they offer families flexibility because they and established the People’s Republic the Kennedy School of Government, do not have to commit to a performance ahead of time. It’s at a family-friendly hour, of China. After living under communist Harvard University; and as the Na- and the hour [length] is family-friendly. The rule for nearly 6 years, S.B. Woo and tional President of the Organization of [6 p.m. start] was not instituted specifically his parents came to the United States Chinese Americans. for families but around the start times of in 1955 to begin a new life in America. I honor and commend my good friend [regular] performances, usually 7:30 or later, S.B. Woo took full advantage of this Dr. S.B. Woo for his continued service but it’s a big reason it has been so attractive opportunity and earned bachelor of to the State of Delaware and to Asian to families. And it’s real performing arts in science degrees in mathematics and Americans across this great country. a real environment.’’ And should anyone get physics from Georgetown College in He is a remarkable yet humble man restless—that applies to kids and parents— they can take a walk on the River Terrace Kentucky. who has overcome many obstacles to and come back. In 1963, S.B. married his wife, Katy, a reach the top of his chosen fields, and A Millennium Stage audience can swell to gifted and accomplished person in her he continues to this day work to im- several thousand for well-known artists such own right. The Woos have been married prove the lives of others. I consider it as Patti Smith, Frank Sinatra Jr. or Los for nearly 44 years and they have two a privilege to know S.B. and Katy Woo Lobos. Certain annual events draw huge children, Chi I. and Chi Lan. and to be able to stand here today to crowds, such as the Merry TubaChristmas S.B. Woo continued his academic ca- speak on their behalf in the Senate.∑ concert (which can feature as many as 100 reer by attaining his Ph.D. in physics tubas) and the All-Star Christmas Day Jazz f Jam, now dedicated to Keter Betts, the ge- from Washington University in St. Louis in 1964. Two years later, he RECOGNITION OF ROBERT nial bassist who hosted the concert and CRAWFORD helped turn it into a Washington tradition joined the faculty at the University of that draws overflow crowds every year. Delaware, where he became a professor ∑ Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I Those crowds can be quite active—whether of physics and astronomy. would like to take a moment today to led in rousing scat song by Bobby McFerrin, Dr. Woo has authored numerous honor the distinguished civil service 250 hand drummers loudly supporting the scholarly works in the cutting-edge career of a particularly remarkable Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra or the summer field of physics, with such titles as Iowan. Mr. Robert ‘‘Bob’’ Crawford will parties that set feet flying to all sorts of ‘‘Role of Core Size in the Photoelectron be retiring shortly from his civilian dance rhythms. Washington jazz drummer and Spectrum of Ions with Multiple De- service to the Department of the Army vibraphonist Chuck Redd has a long history tachment Orbitals’’ and ‘‘Zero Core and in doing so will leave behind a leg- with the Millennium Stage: He played its Contribution Calculation of acy of exceptional support and dedica- opening night with Billy Taylor and Charlie Photodetachment Cross Sections and tion to his work and to his country. Byrd and has performed there more than two Photoelectron Spectra of Transition Over the years, Bob Crawford has dozen times with his own group, as a guest Metal Anions.’’ Now, I’m not exactly amassed a series of professional accom- artist with others and as part of the Christ- sure what these texts are about, but I plishments that are truly outstanding. mas Day jams. ‘‘I always enjoy it,’’ Redd says. ‘‘It’s been am sure that S.B. could not only ex- His commitment to his work has one of the best things about the arts scene in plain them, but that he could explain earned him a Commander’s Award for Washington for many years, and they’re very them in such a way that we would all Civilian Service and he has twice been receptive to booking local and regional mu- understand. awarded the Superior Civilian Service sicians.’’ Redd points out that people going In 2002, Dr. Woo retired from teach- Award. Bob’s hard work, honesty, and to the Kennedy Center for an opera or dance ing, capping a nearly 36-year career at leadership have become defining char- performance may be exposed to a jazz con- the University of Delaware. He is still acteristics of his career and he has cert for the first time, ‘‘so it’s been abso- earned the respect of his colleagues and lutely wonderful for the [jazz] community.’’ rightfully considered by many to be For far-flung family, too: Redd’s 15-year- one of the leading experts in the field peers for his many years of expertise. old son, Charlie, a guitarist, has been a guest of physics in our Nation. Bob Crawford currently works as the with dad in recent years, ‘‘and all our rel- While his academic prowess is to be Deputy to the commander for the U.S. atives and friends around the country can admired, Dr. Woo’s greatest contribu- Army Joint Munitions Command, JMC, watch’’ on the Internet. Also able to watch tion has been his steadfast commit- where he is entrusted to maintain the are club owners and concert presenters, Redd ment to advancing the cause of Asian development and production of the am- says, adding that archived Internet perform- Americans in Delaware and across munition supply for our brave service ances serve as ‘‘an instant demo video around the country. Also, the sound is al- America. men and women overseas. Before serv- ways excellent, and it’s rare you get that in Dr. Woo became the first Asian ing in this capacity, Bob worked in a what’s not actually a concert hall. I hope we American to serve in statewide office number of different roles within the celebrate the 40th anniversary some day.’’ in Delaware when he was elected lieu- ammunition production industry, rang- (Redd will play the Millennium Stage on tenant governor in 1984. With this vic- ing from a production engineer, to a Wednesday, supporting guitarists Steve tory, Dr. Woo became the highest rank- production director, to a deputy for op- Abshire and Vince Lewis.) ing Chinese-American public office erations, and finally to his current po- The Millennium Stage’s reputation is so sition. While his responsibilities have good that some people come without know- holder in the Nation. ing, or caring, what’s going to be on stage. In Dr. Woo’s experience as an immi- shifted and grown over the years, Bob fact, some years back, a major snowstorm grant from China gave him a firsthand Crawford’s commitment to the values prevented the scheduled artists from getting view of what it is like to come to a new of the Department of the Army has re- to the Kennedy Center. Ross managed to land and begin to build a new life from mained as steadfast and unwavering as track down a pianist living in Foggy Bot- scratch. While many people would have ever. tom, and the show went on—with 200 people been satisfied with the success that Dr. As early as his time at the Univer- somehow getting through to provide the au- Woo found in his chosen fields of phys- sity of Illinois and then at St. Ambrose dience. That’s loyalty. ics and politics, he continues his work University, Bob has been distin- f to improve the way of life for his fellow guishing himself within his field and I ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS Asian Americans. am glad to be able to congratulate him He has worked tirelessly to bring and honor his magnificent career as it people into the political fold, working now comes to a close. I wish Bob and IN RECOGNITION OF DR. S.B. WOO to increase voter turnout by reaching his wife Sharon and their children in ∑ Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I out to Asian Americans across the Bettendorf, IA, the very best of luck wish to acknowledge and commend the country and encouraging them to be- for the future and I thank him for his efforts of Dr. Shien Biau ‘‘S.B.’’ Woo. come active in the political process. 25 years of public service.∑

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