[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 127 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1596-E1597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    PROTECT FUNDING FOR THE ARTS IN THE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL

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                          HON. BERNARD SANDERS

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 2, 1995
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, I stand in complete opposition to this 
Interior appropriations bill, which could very well be the death knell 
for the National Endowments for the Arts. The bill itself terminates 
arts and humanities funding within 3 years.
  Mr. Speaker, arts and culture are a vital part of human existence, 
and the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the arts must be open to 
all of our people--and not just the wealthy who can pay $50 for a 
concert ticket.
  Today, the United States spends only 64 cents per person to support 
the Arts Endowment, 50 times less than our major allies. In contrast, 
we spend $1,138 per person on military expenditures. Why is it that 
this Congress can lower taxes on the wealthiest people in our country, 
but cut back on programs which 

[[Page E1597]]
bring art and culture into the classrooms of Vermont and America? Why 
is it that this Congress can pour billions of dollars more into B-2 
bombers that the Pentagon doesn't want, or an absurd star wars program, 
but eliminate funding for museums, symphony orchestras, and theater 
groups all over America?
  The $1 million that Vermont receives from the NEA is essential to 
many groups like Vermont Council on the Arts, the Flynn Theatre, and 
the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Association.
  The Arts Endowment opens the doors to the arts to millions of school 
children, including at-risk youth. Not only do the arts teach our 
children understanding, self-expression, cooperation, and self-
discipline, but the arts tell the history and the soul of a nation. 
More and more children are becoming mesmerized by canned entertainment, 
with the average 5-year-old spending 33 hours per week in front of the 
television. Today our children should be inspired by music and theater 
and creative arts, rather than become desensitized to violence by 
television.
  Unlike urban centers where art and cultural experiences are more 
readily available, arts funding enables programs to go out to the 
people in the rural communities of Vermont.
  Without Federal support, arts programs would be affordable only to 
the rich. The average American would be faced with rising ticket costs 
and would be shut out from arts centers, galleries, community 
festivals, live music performances, and other institutions where 
families can experience the arts.
  Support the National Endowment for the Arts--oppose these draconian 
cuts to the arts and humanities.


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