____________________________________
From: emalagajr@...
To: EBASSIC@...
Sent: 1/27/2009 14:16:40 Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Fwd: NEA Funding in Economic Recovery Package




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Hal Ponder <_bfalk@..._ (mailto:bfalk@...) >
Date: Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Subject: NEA Funding in Economic Recovery Package
To: Edgardo Malaga <_emalagajr@..._ (mailto:emalagajr@...) >


American Federation of Musicians
NEA Funding the Economic Recovery Package
Dear Edgardo Malaga,
SUPPORT ARTS FUNDING IN THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE
The House of Representatives plans to vote on Wednesday, January 28, on the
economic stimulus legislation – the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(H.R. 629) – an $825 billion package with $50 million allocated for the
National Endowment for the Arts. This week, the relevant House committees,
including the Appropriations Committee, approved elements of the stimulus
measure,
setting the stage for debate and a vote by the full House of
Representatives. The Senate expects to vote on the stimulus legislation by the
end of next
week or early the week of February 2.
Critics of the stimulus plan have singled out the $50 million in arts
funding as an example of needless spending in the bill. This demonstrates the
need for musicians to continue to tell their Senators and Representatives that
arts funding is necessary to help stimulate the economy. Despite the relevant
House committees approving the bill with the arts funding included, it is
far from secure. Opponents can still block the funding once the bill is taken
up by the full House of Representatives. Furthermore, it is equally
important to ensure the arts allocation is included in the Senate's version of
the
stimulus. Both the House and the Senate have to agree to include funding for
the arts in the stimulus bill before the money can be disbursed.
TAKE ACTION: Please contact your senators and representatives, urging their
support to retain the allocation of $50 million for the National Endowment
for the Arts in the economic stimulus legislation.
We've included a letter that you can send to your Senator and
Representative asking them to support the $50 million in funding for the
National
Endowment for the Arts. Just follow the instructions on this e-mail to send the
letter.
The NEA funds myriad programs that are beneficial to musicians.
Specifically, the NEA gave 132 grants to symphonies, orchestras and music
programs in
2007. These grants are necessary to ensuring the United States' music
community remains strong and vibrant.
Thank you for your support.


(http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/NEAFunding/i8bks6irf7b3xm3d?)
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Your Congressperson
Your Senators
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: NEA Funding in the Economic Recovery Package
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I am writing to urge you to support the $50 million appropriation for the
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) included in the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. The arts and entertainment industry, according to Americans
for the Arts, contributes $167 billion to the economy and supports
approximately 600 million jobs. This $50 million in NEA funding will help to
see that
this industry and the men and women who work in the arts can safely weather
the economic downturn.

Thank you and please support the $50 million in funding for the National
Endowment for the Arts.
Sincerely,

Edgardo Malaga

(http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/NEAFunding/i8bks6irf7b3xm3d?) Take
Action!
Instructions:
_Click here to take action_
(http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/NEAFunding/i8bks6irf7b3xm3d?) on this
issue
Tell-A-Friend:
Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
_Tell-a-Friend!_
(http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/NEAFunding/forward/i8bks6irf7b3xm3d?)
What's At Stake:

Campaign Expiration Date:
February 25, 2009

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