[Scmusenet] FW: support for imls

[Baker, Michelle]

 Please take a minute to read this an consider action.  Also, you can
forward this to docents, friends of the your museum,  board members or
anyone in your community who might want to help.  Word is the museum
community is not contacting Congress although the libraries are and getting
results.  Specific questions can be directed to Richard Waterhouse,
Executive Director of SEMC rwaterhouse at semcdirect.net
<mailto:rwaterhouse at semcdirect.net>  
 
Thanks, Michelle Baker, SC Rep. to SEMC
 
____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________
 
 House Approves No Significant Funding Increase for IMLS Museum Programs
Despite a favorable budget proposal from President Bush, the House and
Senate appropriations bills that include funding for the Institute of Museum
and Library Services do not include the additional $8 million in new funding
for museums requested in the President's FY 2008 budget.  

On July 11, the House Appropriations Committee failed to support the
President's proposed increase and approved a nominal $395,000 increase for
the Museums for America program as a part of the FY 2008 Labor, Health and
Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, H.R.
<http://www.congressweb.com/t/l/?KVQAXBNQWQMERED> 3043. The committee did
approve approximately $11.3 million in earmarks within the IMLS budget which
are listed in the Committee's report, H. Rept.
<http://www.congressweb.com/t/l/?KVQAXBNQWQXBOST> 110-231. Last week, after
two days of debate, the House voted 276-140 in favor of the measure in Roll
Call Vote  <http://www.congressweb.com/t/l/?KVQAXBNQWQCDEEA> 686.

While the IMLS museum program received even less support in the Senate, AAM
is seeking a Senator (or Senators) who might step forward to offer an
amendment to increase funding for the museum program at IMLS to the
President's requested level.  Without additional new funding, IMLS will not
have the money necessary to meet the demand in their grant programs.
Support from the field is a vital part of convincing lawmakers of the value
of the IMLS museum programs.  Speak up and let your Senators (and
Representatives) know how important IMLS is the museum community.  Your
voice makes the difference! 

____________________________________________________________________________
______________________

The above information was sent today in hopes of getting some communication
out to Congress from the museum community and supporters.  Here is what you
can do and it will be quick and easy:

1.  Write a letter or email your represntatives in congress.  go to
www.congress.org <http://www.congress.org>  if you are not sure who to write
to or if you need an address.

2.  The issue is that the President's budget asked for $8 million in new
money for IMLS and the congress only approved $395,000.  This will directly
impact the amount of money available for grants this year.

3.  If you are not sure what to say in support of this request that the
Congress fund the full amount use some of the following speaking points:

*Museums are a vital link in connecting people with culture, art, history,
science and nature.  They are places that welcome all people and celebrate
the richness of our culture.
*Museums educate school children, entertain and enrich families, preserve
the tangible aspects of our society, conduct important research, and serve
as a civic center.
*Supporting museums is vital to our future.  The IMLS is the one place
museums can go to further their public service role.  This agency's ability
to assist us is important to us. 
*IMLS has supported and encouraged museums in South Carolina in a number of
ways.  Projects that they have partnered have included things from the
Museum Assesment Program to help with professionalism, supporting internal
development in small museums, fostering web based programs so that
collections and information will be available to all South Carolinians,
helping with exhibits on diverse topics from SC and World War I to SC's role
in the early study of our natural environment.
*IMLS is a leader in supporting stewardship responsibilities.  Our
collections, the objects that tell the stories of our cultural, historic,
natural and scientific heritage, are in danger of dissapearing.  The
conservation initiatives sponsored by IMLS will help us to benefit future
generations by keeping our "stuff" around.[Baker, Michelle]      

 

 

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