[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  OPPOSITION TO THE HOUSE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL AND UNDERLYING 
      CUTS TO NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS FOR THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 2011

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the underlying 
bill, and specifically the cuts it makes to the National Endowment for 
the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. These entities 
provide support, resources and education that inspire, cultivate and 
foster creativity across the nation. Investing in the arts is an 
investment in our future, an investment in our cultural heritage as a 
nation, and an investment in our economy.
  In my district of Sacramento, California, there are currently 1,600 
arts-related businesses that employ almost 6,000 people. These 
businesses play an imperative role in sustaining the economic vitality 
of the Sacramento region.
  Similarly, the non-profit arts sector is an important part of our 
nation's economy and the National Endowment for the Arts is uniquely 
positioned to fund projects and activities that preserve jobs 
threatened by the decline in philanthropic support as a result of the 
financial collapse. The non-profit arts sector generates $166 billion 
annually and supports almost six million full-time jobs across the 
country.
  The NEA has a 40 year proven history of investment throughout our 
nation, an investment that stimulates local economies, creates livable 
communities, and supports tourism. In fact, cultural tourism alone 
contributes $192 billion annually to our country's economy.
  Just this past spring, the NEA, the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts 
Commission and I co-hosted a grants workshop in Sacramento providing 
local organizations, artists, and galleries with the information they 
need to apply for and win federal grants. Over 100 people attended.
  I have seen firsthand the impact of NEA grants in my district. For 
example, in May, the NEA generously provided $20,000 to the Sacramento 
Philharmonic Orchestra for their educational outreach series.
  Similarly, for close to 50 years the NEH has been providing grants 
and opportunities for lifelong learning. In the last four years alone, 
the National Endowment for the Humanities has invested $48.5 million in 
California institutions to preserve our cultural heritage. Yet the bill 
before us today cuts each of these already underfunded agencies without 
any regard to the effect that will have on our nation's students, 
museums, artists, or culture as a whole.
  Both the NEA and the NEH support organizations on the local level and 
allow them to take their programs to the next level. In fact, for every 
federal dollar invested in the arts, local agencies are able to 
leverage seven dollars in private donations. The federal government 
provides the seed money and the artists, curators, and historians make 
it grow.
  Mr. Speaker, there are a number of potential amendments to make 
additional cuts to these agencies, and I urge my colleagues to oppose 
those efforts and oppose this legislation.

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