Urgent appeal on behalf of NEA, NEH, and IMS

New House GOP budget strategy poses immediate threat to NEA, NEH,
and IMS funding.  Calls and faxes to members of Congress needed
immediately!

Issue:  Funding for the NEA, NEH, and IMS is in jeopardy as the
House GOP leadership develops a new budget strategy that would fund
only those agencies and programs considered essential or politically
advisable.  The strategy, known as "targeted appropriations," is the
latest attempt by House Republicans to spark movement in the budget
impasse.  Yesterday's Washington Post front page headline says it
all: "Playing Favorites May Be the GOP's Next Step On Budget."

The NEA, NEH, and IMS are funded in the FY96 Interior Appropriations
bill, one of six appropriations bills that have not been enacted and
are currently funded through a short-term continuing resolution
which expires January 26.

House Speaker Newt Gingrich has been quoted as saying that targeted
appropriations would fund "those aspects of the federal government
that have a broad national mandate."

Action:  Now is the time to demonstrate that a clear mandate to fund
our nation's cultural agencies exists.  Calls and faxes to all
Members of the House of Representatives are needed immediately.
Representatives may be reached by phoning the Capitol Switchboard at
(202) 225-3121.

Message to House Representatives:

    I urge you to make sure that funding for the NEA, NEH, and IMS
    is included in any targeted appropriation legislation brought to
    the House floor.  I want our children, the next generation of
    Americans, to have increased access to the best in our nation's
    cultural resources from local performances to museums to arts
    programs in public schools.

Timing:  Please contact your representatives no later than January
26.

Sarah Z. Rosenberg
AIC
1717 K St., NW Ste. 301
Washington, DC 20006
202-452-9545

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:55
                Distributed: Wednesday, January 17, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-9-55-001
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