Political Quotes

“let me share with you two recent experiences that confirm why we should support the Slaughter- Shays-Dicks-Leach-Price amendment to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of joining NEA chairman Dana Gioa at the Folger Theater to help judge young high school students in a poetry recitation contest. As one of the judges, I had to pick a winner, but I can tell you there were no losers. It was plainly evident all were winners. Each student provided a masterful performance, had presence and demonstrated a clear and impassioned understanding of the work he or she presented from some of the English language's best poets. It was a memorable evening. But as much as I enjoyed it, I know it left an even stronger impression on the student and the families and friends who joined them. That evening at the Folger Theater brought us all to a common point of a shared experience where barriers and pretenses were cast aside and humanity and understanding prevailed. Last week I had a conversation with a retired school teacher who volunteers as a docent providing school tours at the National Gallery of Art. She was upset because of a decision by the gallery to suspend the volunteer-led tours for a year while a new program is developed. It didn't make sense to me and I agreed to help. During our talk, she mentioned how art at the gallery had touched a young student she had led.…”