PICK UP THE PHONE

Many of us have been hearing about layoffs worldwide- and museums have their heads on the block. The US Senate said yesterday, that they will support keeping the Park Service a Historic Trusts, but museums, zoos, aquaria are still being targeted today and tomorrow:

"Museums are still at risk from the additional amendment being offered by Sen. Tom Coburn, which could occur on Thursday or Friday of this week. Amendment No. 175, as filed, says: 'None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, [snip of obvious stuff like dry heat saunas, sorry for you fanatics] community park, museum, theater, arts center'" - from the AAM

If you want to do something about this and you're in the US, PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY:

Capitol Switch board: (202) 224-3121

Urge them to oppose any amendment that would prohibit museums, zoos and aquaria from receiving funding, including the Colburn Limitation of Funds Amendment #175. Here are 2 simple talking points from the AAM:

"Please vote "no" on the Coburn amendment (No. 175 to H.R. 1) which would ban stimulus funding for cultural institutions"

"Museums employ more than a quarter-million Americans, spend an estimated $14.5 billion annually, and rank among the top three family vacation destinations. In fact, visitors to cultural and heritage destinations stay 53% longer and spend 36% more money than other kinds of tourists."

If you want to know or do more, go to the AAM Advocay Pages. Thanks from those of us who want to keep the "now" in Museums Now.