LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring The Town Hall upon the occasion of its
90th Anniversary

WHEREAS, The Town Hall, a National Historic site located in the heart of
New York City's theatre district, has been serving the community with
music, dance, film, lectures, drama and much more since 1921; and
WHEREAS, The landmark concert hall, The Town Hall, will proudly and
joyously celebrate the auspicious occasion on its 90th Anniversary with
a special concert on Monday, May 2, 2011, the proceeds of which will
benefit the Hall's Educational Outreach Program, and with an official
celebration at the Hall when Times Square salutes the Hall with many
notables in attendance; and
WHEREAS, The Town Hall was established in 1921 by suffragists of The
League for Political Education following the passage of the 19th Amend-
ment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote, as a
facility to be used to educate newly-enfranchised women voters on issues
and current events; and
WHEREAS, It opened its doors on January 12, 1921, inspiring both new
and experienced artists and quickly establishing itself as the place,
second to none, whatever the instrument, repertoire or reputation, for
performers to make their New York debut; and
WHEREAS, The Town Hall remains true to its original mission, continu-
ing to educate while serving as one of the nation's foremost centers for
the performing arts; and
WHEREAS, Known as the "Hall of All People," The Town Hall has been the
site of presidential debates and presentations by a multitude of promi-
nent Americans on vital social, cultural and economic issues; and
WHEREAS, The Town Hall's reputation as a leading cultural center is
evidenced by the appearance there over the years of famed concert
artists, dance troupes, international music organizations and by the
staging of outstanding dramatic and musical productions; and
WHEREAS, The Town Hall's current season includes the Broadway Cabaret
Festival, Not Just Jazz now known as the Spring Series, Broadway By The
Year, Summer Broadway Festival, Feature Film Seminar Series, The Town
Hall Black History Month Celebration and the famed Free for All At Town
Hall classical music series; and
WHEREAS, The Town Hall has long been committed to arts in education
programs; collaborating with schools throughout New York City's five
boroughs, each year it hosts performances for approximately 125,000
children, many of them experiencing a live performance for the first
time; and
WHEREAS, In addition, its Educational Outreach Program supports the
New York City public schools' arts education instructional programs by
providing expert teaching artist residencies in Theater, Dance, Music,
and Visual and Media Arts who work directly with students and classroom
teachers expanding their knowledge and experience of the arts; and
WHEREAS, The arts are the building blocks of civilization; they are
central to human expression, enrich our lives, and inspire the imagina-
tion; individuals, institutions such as The Town Hall, and events which
further such worthy purposes richly merit the recognition and appreci-
ation of this Legislative Body and the people of the City and State of
New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend The Town Hall upon the occasion of its 90th Anniversary; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Douglas Durst of the Durst Organization and Tim Tompkins of

the Times Square Alliance, Co-chairs of the benefit, and to Marvin
Leffler, President, The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, New York, New
York 10036.