[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 12, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          FUNDING FOR THE ARTS

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                       HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 1995

  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, this is a very precarious time 
for the funding for the National Endowment for the Arts [NEA], National 
Endowments for the Humanities [NEH], and the Institute for Museum 
Services [IMS], the institutions charged with enriching the quality of 
life in every part of the country.
  Unfortunately, the public perception is that these programs receive 
substantial portions of the Federal budget, and that is just not true. 
I recently learned that the U.S. Government spends less on the NEA than 
it does on military bands.
  Nationally the arts industry generates $36 billion in economic 
activity each year and $3.4 billion in additional Federal tax revenue 
supporting approximately 1.3 million jobs associated with the arts. It 
costs the Federal Government about 65 cents per American each year. 
Simply put, this is a good investment of our dollars.
  There are those who do not agree that Government should play a role 
in the arts and the humanities for either moral or fiscal reasons. 
However, we must also recognize that governments throughout the ages 
have supported the artistic endeavors of their society. Today, 
government's support for the arts has increased public access to 
creative work, especially in many small communities where funding is 
scarce or nonexistent.
  The 42d District of California, which I represent, has benefited 
directly from NEA funding for the Arts Foundation of San Bernardino 
County which received a $30,000 grant to support development of a 
community cultural plan for the city of San Bernardino. The State of 
California received a $783,000 basic State grant to be used by the 
California Arts Council to support arts activities at the State level.
  California also received over $14 million in Federal funds to assist 
the Humanities Council which supports the local Humanities Councils in 
their work. Federal support helps preserve the cultural traditions and 
rich heritgage of the American people. Without Federal support the 
United States becomes the only industrialized democracy which does not 
provide support for preserving the Nation's culture.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in maintaining the modest budgets the 
NEA, NEH, and IMS need to help preserve the cultural traditions and 
rich heritage of the American people.


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