Whereas OPERA America was founded in 1970 to serve as the national champion for opera and supports the interests of artists, administrators, educators, trustees, and audiences; Whereas OPERA America was launched by 20 companies now represented by Cincinnati Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Kentucky Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Minnesota Opera, Mississippi Opera, New Orleans Opera, Opera Carolina, Opera Omaha, Opera Philadelphia, Opera Saratoga, Pittsburgh Opera, San Diego Opera, Seattle Opera, Tulsa Opera, and Washington National Opera; Whereas OPERA America fosters collaboration across its membership of over 150 professional opera companies, 350 associated ensembles, businesses and educational institutions, and thousands of individuals toward a shared vision for the art form; Whereas OPERA America opened the custom-built National Opera Center in New York City in 2012 as its headquarters and home to the opera industry, serving more than 80,000 individuals every year; Whereas OPERA America represents the opera field in the District of Columbia, advocating on Federal issues before Congress, the White House, and Federal agencies in order to create a more supportive environment for opera and all the arts; Whereas OPERA America has provided more than $15,000,000 in grants to support the creation and production of new operas in the United States and has advanced the work of female composers and creators of color; Whereas OPERA America has awarded over $5,000,000 in support of innovative business and performance practices across the opera enterprise, with emphasis on programs that help to recruit and retain audiences and deepen their engagement with the art form; Whereas OPERA America has stimulated the expanded civic practice of opera companies of all sizes to increase their public value outside the walls of opera houses and increase diversity and equity on stage, backstage, among administrators and trustees, and in the audience