Floor Statements
Statement on H.R. 5386, Making Appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2007
Washington, DC,
May 18, 2006
Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the amendment to increase funding for the NEA by $5 million and the NEH by $5 million. Frankly, this is a modest amendment; I wish this amendment asked for an even greater increase in arts funding. It's astounding that this year the President will spend $60 billion in Cold War-era defense programs, such as a missile defense system that doesn't defend against missiles, and yet each year we have to come to the floor to defend this minimal amount of spending. The amount we are asking for is little more than a fraction of one percent of the Federal budget.
This is not controversial funding. The NEA and the NEH are two of the best investments this Nation makes. The NEA distributes grants in all 50 states. These grants fund theatres, orchestras, dance companies, and visual artists that move us, challenge the way we think, foster dialogue, and help us to understand one another. The NEH is the largest single funder of humanities programs in the country. NEH grants help museums, archives, libraries, universities, scholars and documentary filmmakers allow us to understand our rich history and cultural heritage. The cost-benefit ratio of this funding is tremendous. Each year, the arts generate $134 billion in economic activity; arts organizations employ 4.85 million Americans; they generate $89.4 billion in household income; and lead to $24.4 billion in total tax revenues. Not only do the arts and humanities have a positive economic impact, but they strengthen and build communities. They help revitalize our nation's cities, and provide venues for people from disparate communities to come together and share a common experience. Students who are exposed to the arts have higher test scores--in math and sciences as well as liberal arts--and have better attendance at schools and increased self-discipline. At-risk teens who participate in arts programs are half as likely to repeat their crimes. Mr. Speaker, every year, my friends from the other side of the aisle try to slash funding for the arts. I just don't understand their thinking. This modest amendment is the very least we should do today. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and to vote against any attempts to slash funding from the arts that may be offered in other amendments. |