Rick Lazio: “I rise today, in ardent support of the National Endowment for the Arts. I commend my colleague, Nancy Johnson, for her…”

“I rise today, in ardent support of the National Endowment for the Arts. I commend my colleague, Nancy Johnson, for her perseverance on this issue and thank Chairman Regula for bringing to the floor a fine Interior Appropriations bill. Every day, arts programs across the United States are helping Americans. CityKids is an educational program in New York City, and let me describe for you what one of the students told me: Chayka wrote: My grandfathers, grandmother, father and uncle were all alcoholics. I lived in the projects oldest of 5 girls to a single mother and all I had was my ambition, drive, determination, and talent. The arts . . . has kept me sane. Now I've taken these skills that I've learned and through the arts I educate thousands of youths. It makes communicating to my peers about teen pregnancy, drugs, abuse, and racism heard effectively. The National Endowment for the Arts is a powerful symbol for improving the quality of our lives and the refining of our communities. The arts clearly enhance community livability; attract industry; create jobs; increase the tax base; and enrich us all. Dance, theater, and music encourage personal achievement in our communities. In a time when we have balanced the budget, lowered taxes, and improved education in our country, we can take the time to appreciate the creative opportunities made possible by local arts organizations and the NEA. The NEA does touch us in our communities.…”