Apologies for previous message.  Here's the real thing.
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AAM Government Affairs is sending out the following alert to advocates
via FAX tonight:

URGENT!!  AAM ALERT

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDS HUGE CUT FOR NEA, LEVEL FUNDING FOR NEH,
INCREASE FOR IMLS.

The House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee today recommended a 90
percent cut for the NEA -- down to $10 million for FY 1998 from $99.5
million.  The subcommittee also recommended $110 million for the NEH (same
as last year) and $23.39 million for the Office of Museum Services within
the IMLS (a $1.39 million increase from last year).

While the cut to the NEA is devastating, we were aware that such a
recommendation might be made, because NEA funding increasingly has become
a symbolic issue for some members of the House.  In recent weeks, NEA
opponents have put more and more pressure on the House leadership to honor
its 1995 commitment to eliminate funding after this fiscal year.

However, this is just one of the many steps in the Congressional funding
process, including action at the full committee and on the House floor,
where supporters of cultural funding from both parties will mount a fight.
We have better hopes for the Senate, where members of the authorization
and appropriations committees have spoken out strongly in support of the
NEA and against House plans for elimination.  Therefore, it's extremely
important for you to once again make your support known to Congress.
Please contact your congressman and both senators and urge them to:

*  (For the HOUSE) resist attempts to eliminate the NEA,

*  support at least level funding for the NEA ($99.5 million), and

*  support at least the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee funding
recommendations for the NEH ($110 million), and Office of Museum Services
($23.39 million).

*  (For the SENATE -- which has not yet made its subcommittee funding
recommendations yet) resist attempts to eliminate the NEA and support the
President's budget request for the NEA and NEH at $136 million and for the
Office of Museum Services within th e IMLS at $26 million.

Let your legislators know that the proposed NEA cut is a radical action
that would reduce the access of our children, our less wealthy citizens,
and many rural areas to the arts.  Tell them why the cultural agencies are
important to your institution, since that is what really matters to them.

You can reach the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121.  In
addition, many legislators are reachable via e-mail and you can access
Congress via the Library of Congress web site: http://thomas.loc.gov.  As
always, please send us copies of your letters as well as any responses
you receive.  Please call us if you have any questions at (202) 289-9125.

Thank you very much for your help.

Barry Szczesny
AAM Government Affairs
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