Contact your state legislator & tell them to support CHAMP: Funding for Culture, History, Art, Movies & Preservation

These are the remarks I gave today speaking at the noontime "CHAMP" (Culture, History, Art, Movies and Preservation) rally on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon.

"I am Sam Adams and I am proud to be Portland Arts and Culture Commissioner.

Just like parks, police, social services, housing and transportation, funding for arts and culture should be part of what we define as a basic government service.

And as you have already heard from some very eloquent speakers, but it bears repeating, funding for arts and culture is good for the economy by bringing family-wage jobs to this state.

And as Senator Brad Avakian just said, arts and culture in public education means that kids learn better and faster in all subjects; it's a good deal.

Finally, arts and culture serves as the mirror and sounding board for our individual growth as human beings - and for every community across Oregon. It is essential to our "humanness" as a state.

For far too long arts and culture funding has been treated as a luxury -- something we fund if we have extra money. Well, this Governor and First Lady Mary Oberst and the state legislators standing behind me are trying to change that.

They deserve our support they deserve the support of Oregonians across this state. Thank you."

Please contact your state legislator tell them to support CHAMP, Governor Kulongoski's $10.9 million investment package for arts and culture.

• Find your state legislator
• Write your state legislator
• Learn more about the CHAMP initiative

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