Got this in an email from Myers Brown at the Tennessee State Museum:
Amendment Excluding Museums Passes Senate, 73-24
Tell Congress About Your Museum's Economic Impact!
During Senate consideration of the economic recovery legislation today, an amendment was passed prohibiting funds from going to museums, zoos, and aquariums. The amendment, offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (S.Amdt. No. 309), states, "None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establisment, aquariums, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, art center and highway beautification project."
The amendment was adopted on a 73-24 vote. You can see how your Senators voted HERE
Differences between the House and Senate versions of the economic stimulus legislation will have to be resolved in a House-Senate conference committee before the bill is submitted to the President.
"Congress needs to be reminded that museums are a vital part of our economy," said AAM President Ford W. Bell. "It's time for us to make our case and I am calling on all museums to send their Members of Congress an Economic Impact Statement showing the ways in which their museum contributes to the economy."
You can do this today by answering a few questions about your museum HERE
The information you provide will be automatically entered into letters that you can send to your Members of Congress.
Most Members of Congress do not realize that museums employ more than a quarter-million Americans, spend an estimated $14.5 billion annually, and rank among the top three family vacation destinations. Let them know about the local impact your museum has by contacting your U.S. Senators and Representative today!
Visit www.speakupformuseums.org for more information about AAM's advocacy for museums.
1 comment:
The subjects on the list (minus casinos, just personal) are vital to the vibrancy and success of communities where they are located. As the ammendment says, "to ensure that taxpayer money is not lost on wasteful & non-stimulative projects" is an insult to our citizens and our culture. Back when I was a kid in the 70's there was a phrase bantered about by peace actvists for longing for the day when the Pentagon would need to hold bake sales to fund their activites while pressing domestic priorities were adequately funded. There are strings attached to gov. funding but the anti-cultural sentiment reflected in this vote is depressing. Thrilled to see my senators just cancelled each other out with their votes. Great! Thanks Dr. for the opportunity to vent on your blog...this news would have been a day wrecker for me if I didn't. MI fan, your new patient in therapy
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