[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 29, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF NEW YORK ARTISTS EQUITY ASSOCIATION'S 60TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2008

  Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of New York 
Artists Equity Association (NYAEA), now celebrating its 60th 
anniversary.
  NYAEA's advocacy for legislation on behalf of visual artists is 
matched only by its dedication to the development of the visual arts in 
our communities, placing the New York artistic world in the context of 
the larger society, as a necessary component that enriches all of our 
lives.
  Significantly, the Association promotes emerging American and 
international artists in its Broome Street Gallery. In 2006, the 
organization established the Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Awards Fund, 
which finances solo exhibitions for emerging and under-recognized 
artists. I had the pleasure of meeting Jacob Lawrence, a renowned 
artist and past president of NYAEA at their 50th anniversary 
celebration, when Al Hirschfeld honored me by putting both of us in one 
of his drawings.
  Madam Speaker, I particularly commend NYAEA, under the leadership of 
its Executive Director, Regina Stewart, for supporting visual artists 
at a time when they receive no help from the government. The 
Association provides referrals, legal services, and health care to 
visual artists in need, helping to ensure economic stability for those 
artists who might otherwise be forced to abandon their talents due to 
economic difficulties. New York Artists Equity Association works to 
preserve endangered visual art work, helping to assure the survival of 
our rich artistic past.
  I am proud that NYAEA is in my Congressional District, and that its 
work reaches far beyond my District to help visual artists in the 
larger community. I wish to thank the Association for all it has done 
to advocate for the visual arts, and I also want to thank one of the 
Association's Past Vice Presidents, Doris Wyman, who serves on my Arts 
Advisory Committee, for her tireless advocacy. Because of my on-going 
work with this fine organization and their leadership, I know of their 
constant efforts and I commend them.
  For 60 years, NYAEA has been a passionate advocate for visual 
artists. I salute New York Artists Equity Association for helping to 
assure a stable artistic community--one that is, and always must be, 
recognized as vital to our heritage and culture.

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