2008 -- H 8309

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LC02956

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008

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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

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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

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

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of spontaneity, then society severs”; and

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

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

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

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primary and necessary step towards reaching that goal; and

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

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

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

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and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rhode Island are a wise investment”; and

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

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

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

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

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

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dropout rates; and

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

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

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

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therefore be it

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

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

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

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

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

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

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programs; and be it further

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

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

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

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

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(NASAA).

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LC02956

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