Pete Sessions: “I say to the eloquent Senator from Connecticut, to talk about retreating from the arts, this is not the appropriate…”

“I say to the eloquent Senator from Connecticut, to talk about retreating from the arts, this is not the appropriate argument here. We are talking about spending more money directly for the arts. As he was talking, I did a quick look at how the State of Connecticut would fair under a block grant program, and they would go from $1,265,000 to $1,392,000, actually increase $128,000 in real moneys they can use for arts in the State of Connecticut. But I would also add, Connecticut is one of the wealthiest States, I think perhaps the wealthiest State in America. It is a State with a great tradition of arts, but I notice they received 28 grants last year totaling $1,059,000--28 grants, $1,059,000. Under our plan they would receive more money than that. But let me tell you, I represent the people of the State of Alabama, and I have had three groups representing orchestras in my State in my office. I know of the great Shakespeare theater in Montgomery. I am aware of the opera and museums in Mobile. We have a great history of arts, too, but we received only 11--not 28. We received 11 grants at only $540,000, even though we have more people in the State of Alabama paying taxes to this country than they do in the State of Connecticut. One of the real problems with this program is it has not allocated the money fairly.”