Nancy L. Johnson: “I am proud to offer my amendment to restore $98 million in level funding for the NEA. I would have been equally proud to…”

“I am proud to offer my amendment to restore $98 million in level funding for the NEA. I would have been equally proud to have risen to oppose a motion to strike NEA funding as adopted in the committee bill, and I salute my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Yates), for his successful committee amendment, yet another sign of the breadth of support there is for the NEA. I also salute the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Yates) for his long and consistent leadership in support of the arts and for his deep dedication to responsible stewardship of our Nation's resources. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to support my amendment. The reforms adopted last year directly addressed the causes of past problems, as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) will make clear in a few minutes. Perhaps these reforms address the concerns. I asked those 150 Republicans who supported the Republican amendment last year, which supported a Federal role for the arts to support my amendment this year. I have been a lifelong supporter of the arts, because truly man does not live by bread alone.”