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(FWD) NCC Washington Update, Vol. 7, #25, June 20, 2001



NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 7, #25, June 20, 2001
by Bruce Craig <rbcraig3@juno.com> of  the National Coordinating Committee
for the Promotion of History
*****************

NCC SPECIAL ACTION ALERT ------ FUNDING FOR NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS

According to information provided by the National Humanities Alliance, last
night the Republican leadership decided to move to the floor of the House of
Representatives the Interior appropriations bill that includes funding for
the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the National Endowment
for the Arts (NEA). Amendments were offered in the full Interior Committee to
increase funding for the endowments last week but were defeated.  Originally,
the Interior appropriations bill was slotted to come to the House floor
sometime next week, but the vote may come earlier, perhaps as early as this
Friday (June 22).

The NCC has learned that the chance of an NEH funding increase is reasonably
good and worth taking the time to express support for the agency.
THEREFORE, YOUR ACTION IN THE NEXT 24-HOURS IS REQUESTED AND
NEEDED.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
NEH funding in the House bill is at the current level of $120.5 - the funding
level requested in the President's budget.  However, for the last two years
Congress approved modest, $5 million increases for the humanities endowment's
budget following several years of level funding. The high point in NEH
funding came in 1994 when its budget topped $177 million.

According to the National Humanities Alliance, the Congressional Arts Caucus
Co-chairs Louise Slaughter (D/NY) and Stephen Horn (R/CA) are preparing an
amendment to increase funding for the three cultural agencies (NEA, NEH, and
IMLS) in the interior bill.  The amendment is likely to call for increasing
funding for NEA by $13 million, NEH by $5 million, and IMLS by $2 million.
Norm Dicks (D/WA), the lead Democrat on
the bill is continuing consultation with Slaughter and Horn as to the final
shape of the amendment.  Nancy Johnson (R/CT), a major force among GOP
moderates is also involved and supportive.  While the GOP leadership in the
House is still opposed to increases for the endowments, a number of GOP
moderates have been willing to buck the leadership on this issue. This vote
can be won.  Action is needed to communicate with members of Congress,
especially moderate Republicans, in the next 24-hours.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR MEMBER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES -
Telephone the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your
Representative's office.

MESSAGE TO COMMUNICATE-
Please deliver the following message in your own words:
"During floor consideration of the Interior Appropriations Bill later this
week or early next week I want to urge Congressman XXXX to please vote in
favor of an amendment to increase funding for the National Endowment for the
Humanities above the current level of $120.5 million. The NEH programs are
meaningful to our Congressional District.  Increased appropriations to the
NEH will provide additional funds for programs in
our state to:

* preserve and provide access to cultural and educational resources essential
to the American people;
* strengthen teaching and learning in history, literature, language, and
other humanities subjects in schools and colleges;
* facilitate research and original scholarship in the humanities;
* provide opportunities for lifelong learning in the humanities for all
Americans;
* strengthen the institutional base of the humanities."

QUESTIONS -
PLEASE CALL JOHN HAMMER OR JESSICA JONES AT THE NATIONAL HUMANITIES ALLIANCE
AT (202) 296-4994 FOR ANY QUESTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS REQUEST.

NCC Readers - Please note that the regular installment of the weekly NCC
WASHINGTON UPDATE will be posted this Friday, June 22, 2002.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * *
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