08-R236

2008 -- H 8309

Enacted 05/20/08

 

 

H O U S E  R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 20, 2008 TO BE RHODE ISLAND'S "ARTS ADVOCACY DAY AT THE STATE HOUSE"

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Lewiss, Naughton, Slater, Ajello, and Ferri

     Date Introduced: May 20, 2008

 

   

 

     WHEREAS, Former President John Fitzgerald Kennedy wisely stated “Above all, we are

coming to understand that the arts incarnate the creativity of a free people. When the creative

impulse cannot flourish, when it cannot freely select its methods and objects, when it is deprived

of spontaneity, then society severs”; and

     WHEREAS, Recognizing the important relationship between the arts and our quality of

life, and the arts and a thriving state economy, is an essential element in humanity’s vast effort to

develop and expand this world for future generations. Support for Arts Program funding is a

primary and necessary step towards reaching that goal; and

     WHEREAS, Arts Advocacy Day at the Rhode Island State House was designed to bring

various cultural and civic groups, as well as artists, arts supporters, business, corporate and

legislative leaders together in order to educate, advocate and promote our state’s arts programs;

and

     WHEREAS, Financially, the arts create thousands of jobs for citizens of Rhode Island,

and contribute close to a half-billion dollars annually to the state’s economy; and

     WHEREAS, Every dollar given to the arts through the state budget provides an average

of $18 in increased revenue from private and out-of-state sources; and

     WHEREAS, In a recent study conducted by the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts

(RISCA), “For every dollar spent on an arts experience, an additional $23 is spent by in-state

attendees and $38 by out-of-state attendees in surrounding establishments. With this, the arts in

Rhode Island are a wise investment”; and

     WHEREAS, The National Governors’ Association ascertains that the arts significantly

contribute to the creation of more flexible and adaptable workers, who are essential for assisting

today’s businesses to compete in the global economy; and

     WHEREAS, Educationally, studies have shown that students who participate in the arts,

whether in school or after school, demonstrate improved academic performance and realize lower

dropout rates; and

     WHEREAS, Not only does a thriving arts and cultural life improve educational

outcomes, and generate income, jobs, and tax revenue for our communities, more importantly, it

helps to build a state that is attractive as not only a destination, but as a place to call home; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 20th of 2008 to be “Arts Advocacy Day at the State

House” in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby encourages all the people of the

State of Rhode Island to observe this day with appropriate programs, activities and ceremonies,

and respectfully urges all elected officials to support increased funding for our state’s art’s

programs; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, the

Rhode Island State Council for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, the Rhode Island Citizens for the

Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

(NASAA).

     

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LC02956

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