Rick Lazio: “we often lose sight of the positive effect that music, painting, theater, and dance have on our lives and the lives of…”

“we often lose sight of the positive effect that music, painting, theater, and dance have on our lives and the lives of our children. With that, I rise today as a reminder of the importance of the arts. Beyond the metropolitan theaters and museums, the arts touch our remote suburbs and rural areas through dance troupes and local choirs. Folk art festivals across the country provide an arena for creative expression that might be overlooked by the commercial arts industry. These local initiatives, in turn, spur the economy through increased tourism, and encourage a sense of community. In my home county of Suffolk, NY, approximately 100 arts organizations employ 400 full-time employees and over 2,000 part-time employees. The arts generate nearly $150 million in revenue for that county alone. However, exposure to the arts does much more than expand the job market. Support for the arts carries over into the classroom and the workplace. Recent studies have shown higher SAT scores among high school students with an art background and stronger math skills among children who study music at an early age. Perhaps more important are the analytic and creative skills developed through involvement with the arts. These skills not only help children excel in our classrooms, but help adults excel in the workplace. Think of your own office. Just as we in Congress expect innovative thinking from our staff, all industry relies on resourceful and imaginative workers to remain strong.”