[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 141 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS HONORED FOR 25 YEARS OF COMMUNITY 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 3, 1994

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues the accomplishments of an organization in my district 
which has served the arts community for 25 years. I speak, of course, 
of the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) which will commemorate 25 
years of providing free legal services to the New York arts community 
on November 7, 1994, and as such, they have proclaimed this day as 
``Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Day.''
  The Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts has a long record of achievements 
in helping out the arts community. They have served low income artists 
and arts organizations through free arts-related guidance and 
representation. They have helped artists avoid legal entanglements 
through educational programs, publications, legal seminars and 
workshops. They have even provided leadership and vision for arts 
organizations in the push for full Federal funding of the National 
Endowment for the Arts.
  Altogether, the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts assists over 8000 
individuals each year by drawing upon the pro bono services of more 
than 800 attorneys in the New York metropolitan area. Many of these 
artists would likely go out of business with out the VLA's 
contributions and assistance. The VLA also reaches many underserved 
populations including artists with HIV/AIDS and Latino artists through 
special initiatives like The Artist Legacy Project and the Hispanic 
Arts Legal Assistance Project.
  Mr. Speaker. I cannot understate the importance of the arts to our 
city and our country, and that's why I believe that the Volunteer 
Lawyers for the Arts role is vitally important. In these days of 
dwindling financial contributions, I look upon the VLA with 
hopefulness. I hope all of my colleagues will join me in honoring the 
great contributions that the VLA has given us.

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