To recognize the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a global event of cultural significance to Ohio and the United States and expressing support by designating the month of July 2012 as "World Choir Games Month."

WHEREAS, The members of the 129th General Assembly of Ohio are pleased to designate the month of July 2012 as "World Choir Games Month"; and

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; and

WHEREAS, From July 4 through July 14, 2012, Cincinnati, Ohio will be the first city in America to host the World Choir Games; and

WHEREAS, The World Choir Games in the past have been held twice in China, twice in Austria, and once in Germany and South Korea, and is the signature event of Interkultur, a Germany-based organization that produces international choral music events; and

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; and

WHEREAS, The State of Ohio was actively involved in the effort to secure the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio; and

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; and

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; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 129th General Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this resolution, designate the month of July 2012 as "World Choir Games Month" in recognition of the global significance of the 7th World Choir Games to be hosted in Cincinnati, Ohio, from July 4 through July 14, 2012; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 129th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, in adopting this resolution, express our appreciation to 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 collective efforts to secure and host this event; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 129th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, in adopting this resolution, express our 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 Ohio; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to Interkultur and to the news media of Ohio.