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WHEREAS, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was founded in 1893 as the nation's first teaching conservatory, with the mission: to contribute directly to the understanding of western Pennsylvania's natural environment and to delve into questions of biodiversity abroad; and
WHEREAS, the Conservatory's international focus is in part exemplified by its architectural design inspired by England's Royal Gardens, Kew, by architects Lord and Burnham, as well as the Conservatory's famous orchid and bonsai holdings; and
WHEREAS, this winter, the Conservatory will add both to its physical structure as well as its international scope with the inaugural exhibition in the new Tropical Forest Conservatory addition, a display on the flora and culture of Thailand; and
WHEREAS, the new facility is the world's most eco-advanced glasshouse, a 12,000-square-foot, 60-foot tall exhibitory- a central part of the new upgrades and expansions that have been made possible by Phipps' successful $36.6 million Second Century Campaign; and
WHEREAS, the celebratory dedication also recognizes the fraternal connection between Thailand's Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden in Chiang Mai, the birthplace of the Thai public garden movement, and Phipps' historic, central role in the progress of plant conservatories in America; and
WHEREAS, the Tropical Forest addition will be dedicated on December 6, 2006 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. by friends of the Conservatory, members of City government, Thai Buddhist monks, and His Excellency Ambassador Virasakdi Futrakul of the Kingdom of Thailand.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby acknowledges and recognizes Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for the landmark opening of the new Tropical Forest Conservatory and its Tropical Forest: Thailand Exhibition and further recognizes the event's Honorary Patron, His Excellency Virasakdi Futrakul, Ambassador Extraordinary and Pl...
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