Floor Statements
Statement in Recognition of New York Artists Equity Association's 60th Anniversary
Washington, DC,
April 28, 2008
Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of New York Artists Equity Association (NYAEA), now celebrating its 60th anniversary.
NYAEA's advocacy for legislation on behalf of visual artists is matched only by its dedication to the development of the visual arts in our communities, placing the New York artistic world in the context of the larger society, as a necessary component that enriches all of our lives. Significantly, the Association promotes emerging American and international artists in its Broome Street Gallery. In 2006, the organization established the Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Awards Fund, which finances solo exhibitions for emerging and under-recognized artists. I had the pleasure of meeting Jacob Lawrence, a renowned artist and past president of NYAEA at their 50th anniversary celebration, when Al Hirschfeld honored me by putting both of us in one of his drawings. Madam Speaker, I particularly commend NYAEA, under the leadership of its Executive Director, Regina Stewart, for supporting visual artists at a time when they receive no help from the government. The Association provides referrals, legal services, and health care to visual artists in need, helping to ensure economic stability for those artists who might otherwise be forced to abandon their talents due to economic difficulties. New York Artists Equity Association works to preserve endangered visual art work, helping to assure the survival of our rich artistic past. I am proud that NYAEA is in my Congressional District, and that its work reaches far beyond my District to help visual artists in the larger community. I wish to thank the Association for all it has done to advocate for the visual arts, and I also want to thank one of the Association's Past Vice Presidents, Doris Wyman, who serves on my Arts Advisory Committee, for her tireless advocacy. Because of my on-going work with this fine organization and their leadership, I know of their constant efforts and I commend them. For 60 years, NYAEA has been a passionate advocate for visual artists. I salute New York Artists Equity Association for helping to assure a stable artistic community--one that is, and always must be, recognized as vital to our heritage and culture. |