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For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. – July 17, 2003 – The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment today to the Interior Appropriations bill to increase FY 2004 funding for the National Endowment for the Arts by $10 million and the National Endowment for the Humanities by $5 million, bringing their respective funding levels up to $127.5 million and $142 million. The amendment passed by a vote of 225 to 200, with one member of the House simply voting present. Shortly afterwards,

Upon completion of the votes, Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch stated the following:

"Today's bipartisan vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts sends a timely message to state and local elected leaders that support for nonprofit arts organizations is both an important investment in the growth of our creative sector as well as in the economic recovery of our nation during these challenging times. We are very grateful to the leaders of the Congressional Arts Caucus, Representatives Louise Slaughter and Chris Shays, as well as to the other lead sponsors of the amendment, Representatives Norm Dicks and Jim Leach, who together spearheaded an impressive campaign to pass this important legislation."

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a 40-year record of objective arts industry research. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

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