[SOA] Fwd: [rao] National History Day - urgent action needed

[George Bain]

SOA colleagues, here is a notice from the chair of the SAA Reference, 
Access & Outreach Section that I pass along regarding a big challenge to 
National History Day. George


>From: "Gerencser, James" <gerencse at dickinson.edu>
>To: "SAA Reference, Access & Outreach Section Discussion List" 
><rao at forums.archivists.org>
>Subject: [rao] National History Day - urgent action needed
>Thread-Topic: National History Day - urgent action needed
>Thread-Index: AQHLiyLWwf+1Kr9j1UCWCvHsOFYSpg==
>Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:28:57 +0000
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>
>
>Dear Members of RAO Section,
>
>The co-chairs of the RAO National History Day Committee have brought to 
>our attention the information below regarding funding for the National 
>History Day program. Please consider contacting your senators, and also 
>pass this information along for others to act as well.
>
>Jim Gerencser
>RAO Chair
>
>
>Call to Action!
>National History Day needs your help!
>
>
>National History Day need your help urgently.
>
>We received word this morning that Senator Coburn (R-OK) is going to offer 
>an amendment, Coburn Amendment #4697 to S. 510, which the Senate will vote 
>on this upcoming Monday, November 29th. This amendment will eliminate ALL 
>funding for earmark programs for the next three fiscal years. Within this 
>definition of earmark are authorized, directed-funded programs like NHD.
>
>As you likely are aware, we are in the midst of an anti-earmark climate. 
>Even though NHD is an authorized program, Congress must include NHD in an 
>appropriations bill each and every fiscal year. The Coburn amendment is 
>likely to pass. This will result in a loss of $500,000 of 
>critically-needed support for National History Day. Over half of this 
>annual funding supports our states/affiliates, many of which need their 
>portion of $5000 to provide the NHD programs that directly benefit 
>teachers and students. The remaining funds provide for the national 
>contest and other critical programs such as the summer teacher institutes.
>
>CALL TO ACTION:
>
>1. The only chance we have is to bombard every senator with requests to
>vote NO on the Coburn amendment. Please, without delay, make these calls.
>You can send an email as well but with a short time to make your case, a
>phone call will have greater impact. Please do not send a postal letter as
>those do not reach their destinations in Washington, D.C. for weeks due to
>off-site irradiation procedures. To find telephone numbers for your
>senators, please go to <http://www.senate.gov/>www.senate.gov.
>
>2. And, please forward this to every supporter of NHD in your state,
>asking them to do the same.
>
>Thank you for your support.
>Kim Fortney
>Deputy Director
>National History Day
>0119 Cecil Hall
>University of Maryland
>College Park, MD 20742
>Direct Phone: (301) 314-9542
>Fax: (301) 314-9767
>
>
>
>---
>
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