Opposition to the House Interior Appropriations Bill and Underlying Cuts to National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanitiese Humanitie

Floor Speech

* 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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