Louise Slaughter: “this is the last year in which debate on the Federal support for the arts will be led by the distinguished gentleman…”

“this is the last year in which debate on the Federal support for the arts will be led by the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Yates), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Interior of the Committee on Appropriations. Renowned as the champion of the NEA and credited for keeping it alive by the sheer force of his will, the gentleman from Illinois is retiring at the end of the year. Under the usual procedures of the House, the gentleman would have the honor of offering amendments to strengthen the arts. But this rule takes that honor away from him. Of course, this disappointment can never obscure the debt that artists, art educators, and art institutions across the Nation owe to their long-time champion. History will record Sid Yates' legacy, the vitality of the arts across our Nation. This rule cannot tarnish Sid Yates' leadership on the issue, but it does demonstrate the nature of the leadership so caught up in its power that it has the audacity to deny the foremost supporter of the arts one last chance to lead the battle for the NEA survival.”