INHOFE PRAISES SENATE PASSAGE OF THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2016
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today praised Senate passage of S.2808, the John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2016.
“I’m pleased that the U.S. Senate has passed the John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2016 by unanimous consent,”said Inhofe. “The Kennedy Center is unique in that is it a Presidential memorial and an arts center enjoyed by locals and millions of Americans throughout the country traveling to Washington, D.C., making it the most visited performing arts center in the nation. This reauthorization allows the Kennedy Center to continue its modernization and to allow for cost-efficient, multi-year planning for security, operations and maintenance necessary for a major, nationally recognized structure. I appreciate working on this legislation with Senators Boxer and Blunt, who both serve with me on the Board of Trustees for the Kennedy Center.”
On April 28, the EPW Committee held a business meeting where S.2808 passed out of committee with unanimous support.
The Kennedy Center was established as the National Cultural Center when Congress passed the `National Cultural Center Act.' President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation in 1958, which became Public Law 85-874. Congress has since consistently authorized funding for the center.
In 1964, Public Law 88-260 established the performing arts center as a living memorial to honor the late President John F. Kennedy by changing the name of the center to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The Kennedy Center is the nation's busiest performing arts center. It hosts approximately 3,000 events, and receives over 2 million visitors each year.
Funds authorized in the legislation may only go towards the physical structure of the building, for the Operations and Maintenance and for Capital Repairs. These funds provide for the security of the building, electricity, building repairs and general upkeep. Federal funds may not be used for performing arts attractions, personnel or administration including production, fundraising marketing and ticket sales.
###
