Sean Patrick Maloney: “I rise in support of this increase, although it is so minimal I hesitate to call it an increase. We have still not…”

“I rise in support of this increase, although it is so minimal I hesitate to call it an increase. We have still not recovered from the grave cuts of 1994, but I strongly support this amendment and wish I had time to talk about how important the arts are to New York and this country. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to voice my enthusiastic support for the Slaughter-Dicks-Horn-Johnson amendment. The $10 million for the National Endowment for the Arts and the $5 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities will continue the process of restoring Federal funding for the arts to appropriate levels. It is difficult to call it an increase since the amount is so minimal. These organizations have not recovered from the severe cuts of 1994. NEA funds do more than simply support individual programs, they support entire communities. NEA funds help encourage private donors to give to a program, so every dollar we spend pays dividends. When we invest in the arts, entire neighborhoods benefit. Studies show that children who are involved in the arts, concentrate better, learn how to listen and do better in school. Every community has their own example of a program that has benefitted from NEA grants. I'll give a small example from my district. The New York Ballet Theater received a $15,000 grant from the NEA last year. They are a terrifically innovative program that teaches young people to dance and introduces children to the ballet.”