Ray Hair, International President of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), responded to death of New York Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter:

“Musicians have lost a good friend and one of our strongest champions of the arts. For more than three decades, Congresswoman Slaughter was always there for professional musicians from leading the fight to protect and expand arts funding to making it easier to travel with instruments. Her loss to musicians and other working people cannot be overstated. We extend our deepest sympathies to Congresswoman Slaughter’s family and friends at this difficult time.”