Tag Archives: Louise Slaughter

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Names New Co-Chair of House Arts Caucus

April 23, 2018 IM

Following a memorial service for representative Louise Slaughter, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi moved swiftly to reconstitute House Congressional Arts Caucus leadership with long-time caucus member and friend of the arts Chellie Pingree (D-ME). Arts groups are busy lining up meeting opportunities with the congresswoman to help seal the legacy of the former caucus co-chair and begin to get the movement back on track.

“Chellie profoundly understands the power of the arts to revitalize and inspire communities across the nation,” says Pelosi. “Serving on the House Appropriations Committee and Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, she has fought relentlessly for robust investments in the arts and in arts education, and has been a fierce champion of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. We are confident that she will bring great passion, vision, and joy to this important caucus.”

The AFM will forever be grateful for Slaughter’s work. The AFM Office of Government Relations will do its best to support Pingree.

Remembering Arts Leader Representative Louise Slaughter

April 23, 2018 IM

Eastman School of Music Alumni String quartet comprised of members of AFM Local 161-710, under the leadership of AFM 161-710 President Edgardo Malaga and Secretary-Treasurer Marta Bradley, performed the prelude and postlude at the US Capitol Sanctuary Hall April 18 for a Congressional Memorial Ceremony for the late Honorable Louise Slaughter (D-NY). Representative Slaughter was co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, a tireless friend of the arts, and a longtime personal friend of the AFM. It was her tenacity, with the help of the Arts Caucus, that kept federal funding alive for the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, public school music programs, as well as full funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. She was responsible for making the arts available to every American through her work with the 161-member Arts Caucus. She also served as a ranking member of the House Rules Committee.

Formidable Arts Leader Remembered

April 2, 2018 IM

The AFM lost a champion of its causes when Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) died in March. She will be remembered as an advocate for the arts and artists, having chaired the bi-partisan Congressional Arts Caucus for years.

AFM President Ray Hair notes, “When I went to visit her on important issues relating to the lives of professional musicians, she always expressed her profound appreciation of our union and showed her unwavering support for our musicians in Rochester, and in particular members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.” Slaughter was the first woman to chair the powerful House Committee on Rules and was serving as its ranking member. She was 88 years old.