Senate Resolution No. 800

BY: Senator COMRIE

COMMEMORATING the 23rd Anniversary of the
UniverSoul Circus

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those organizations that have brought entertainment and cultural
enrichment to the citizens of the great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 23rd Anniversary of the UniverSoul Circus; and

WHEREAS, The UniverSoul Circus is a single ring circus, established
in 1994, by Cedric Walker, an African American man who had a vision of
creating a circus, with the majority of performers being people of
color; traveling all over the world to find people with incredible
talents, he was able to find entertainers from approximately 24
different countries; and

WHEREAS, Cedric Walker's vision was to explore the various talents,
other than singing and dancing, that people of color performers had to
offer; he wanted to apply their gathered years of experience in the live
appearance industry with the intent to make a difference, to change the
industry they lived in, and to create growth and opportunity; and

WHEREAS, The first performance took place in the parking lot of
Atlanta Fulton County Stadium in 1994; since its debut, the UniverSoul
Circus has successfully turned the traditional circus world upside down;
by 1997, the circus tour had grown to a 10 city tour; two years later,
19 cities; a South African tour in 2001; an Emmy nominated HBO special
in 1998; and in 2005, a 32-city tour; and

WHEREAS, Today, The UniverSoul Circus is playing to packed houses
from coast to coast, successfully entertaining all who comes to their
shows; and

WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and its contribution to
the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples cannot
be overestimated; and

WHEREAS, The history, the heritage, and the lives of the people of
all countries and all cultures are portrayed in their exhibits; the art
and act of sharing them enriches us altogether; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized by all of the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 23rd Anniversary of the UniverSoul Circus; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Cedric Walker, Founder/CEO, UniverSoul Circus.