"It is amazing, the number of people for whom the NEA has given a kick-start that they could sustain through their career, and how much all of us have benefited from that."
"I join with my colleagues here today in respectfully requesting that this committee allocate $180 million to the National Endowment for the Arts so that the arts and arts education remain pillars in t..."
"This is and has been and will continue to be a priority, and we really appreciate that, Ms. Slaughter."
"In last year's budget, you proposed and promoted fully funding the 50 percent federal match for the States programs."
"They are increasingly looking at aesthetics and music and so on in terms of the healing of returning wounded warriors."
"It is our values and principles more than our military might which, of course, will enhance our own national security."
"This great Nation needs, deserves, and must support art as do other nations around the globe."
"Thank you very much, Madam Chairwoman. That was a superb statement and consistent with the insight that you have provided us for years."
"But I am compelled today to ask that you take into consideration the returns we get on our investment in the arts."
"Very well done, Mr. Chairman, in your first appearance. I hope there are going to be many, and we look forward to seeing the impact that you are going to have on this country."
"I want to make it clear for the record, what you did was to enable people who are currently employed in large part to be sustained in their efforts to maintain artistic activities."