Dale Bumpers: “If I were ``king,'' we would be putting over $1 billion a year into the program, maybe more than that, because I…”

“If I were ``king,'' we would be putting over $1 billion a year into the program, maybe more than that, because I personally feel that it provides the kind of cultural benefit that is not only sorely lacking in this country, but is diminishing. Mr. President, $100 million represents one-tenth of 1 percent of our $1.6 trillion-plus budget. That is 38 cents for every American citizen to provide programs that enrich the culture of this Nation and give a lot of youngsters who would not otherwise have the opportunity the absolute, abject joy of enjoying music, good literature, and dance. I can tell you that no nation has ever really prospered well that didn't have a culture that embraced the performing arts and the fine arts.”