Joseph Sestak, Member of Congress, Pennsylvania, 7th District (2008)

It gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest greetings to everyone gathered at the Merriam Theater for this year's Chinese New Year Spectacular.  Traveling through China as a young naval officer in the 1980s, I was struck by the rich culture and tradition of its people.  I would like to thank the Greater Philadelphia Asian Culture Center, New Tang Dynasty Television, and the Divine Performing Arts troupe for bringing the beauty and wonder of Chinese music, dance, and tradition to Philadelphia.