[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ELIMINATING THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, for years certain National Endowment for 
the Arts [NEA] projects have attracted a great deal of controversy. 
Americans have been inundated with reports of grotesque live 
performances, blasphemous art exhibits, and obscene publications--all 
supported by taxpayer money. Regardless of the reforms Congress has 
tried to impose on the NEA, taxpayer money continues to filter down and 
fund controversial art. Now more than ever, we need to put an end to 
this inefficient cycle by admitting that the Federal Government has no 
business funding the arts and eliminate the NEA.
  I support the arts and recognize their importance to our society. 
However, I believe it is our responsibility as citizens to keep it 
thriving on the local level. Yesterday, the House Interior 
Appropriations Subcommittee voted to terminate the NEA. I believe that 
it is time to place a priority on balancing the budget and relieve the 
American family's crushing tax burden by eliminating the NEA and other 
inefficient Federal Programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that the arts will continue to thrive 
without the existence of the NEA. Last year, more than $9 billion was 
spent on the arts in America by the private sector. The fiscal year 
1997 NEA budget of $99.5 million represents only 1 percent of these 
private sector contributions.
  interestingly enough, despite a 40-percent cut in Federal funds over 
the last 2 years, the arts industry is booming--attendance rates are 
up, employment in the arts is up, total receipts from performing arts 
is up. Yet American families, already overtaxed and threatened by 
looming Federal debt, were forced to pony up $99 million last year for 
the NEA.
  Mr. Speaker, during its time of tight budgetary constraints, I 
encourage all of my colleagues to make a serious attempt to distinguish 
between essential and nonessential Government programs. The Federal 
Government should not be in the business of supporting the arts. The 
time to eliminate the NEA is now.

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