I am posting this for someone who is not a member of this list. Please direct questions to [log in to unmask] Thanks, Lisa Deitz, Principal Museum Preparator Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis HELP SAVE RESEARCH AT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION: PROTEST THE CUT OF SCMRE AND THE REORGANIZATION OF SI RESEARCH The Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education (SCMRE) is slated to be eliminated as of December 31, 2001 and its research program terminated. The Center, established in 1963, is a world leader in preserving cultural heritage by conducting archaeological materials research and conservation studies and by training hundreds of researchers from the U.S. and over 40 countries in conservation, preservation, and materials research. Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence Small is asking Congress for an increase in the SI 2002 budget of 8.1%, or $40 million. The total request amount for fiscal 2002 is $494 million. Small’s proposed budget cuts within SI would eliminate SCMRE, which has 37 job slots, only 29 of which are now filled due to a previous freeze on hiring. The justification for these cuts is that these activities and programs are claimed to be unnecessary and do not contribute to the SI and its "new" research priorities. Closing SCMRE is a clear statement by SI upper management that they do not value studies contributing to the long-term preservation of SI collections. WHAT THE LOSS OF SCMRE MEANS: World Leader In Preserving Cultural Heritage: A unique research laboratory for materials analysis and preservation of cultural patrimony whose researchers have published over 1000 journal articles. Among SCMRE’s many successes have been establishment of standards for museum climatology, objects transport, photographic preservation, the storage of natural history specimens, and archival collections. Conservation Window To The World: For 15 years, SCMRE has sponsored a program of Pre- and Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Archaeology and Materials Analysis, and yearly internships for conservators. Active programs with over 10 universities in the U.S. and enduring relationships with archaeologists, conservators, and museum professionals in more than 200 institutions in 40 nations. Cutting Edge Technologies And Partnerships To Study Archaeological Artifacts And Materials: Through 28 years of experience, SCMRE has pioneered in trace element analysis of over 25,000 artifacts to source and provenance materials, to establish provenance of goods used for trade and tribute, and to establish trade patterns in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Thousands of chemical and microstructual studies of ceramic, glass, and metal artifacts from hundred of archaeological sites have led to the understanding and reconstruction of many prehistoric and historic technologies. Reduction In Educational Opportunities: Scientific research has been disseminated in the fields of museum climatology, ancient DNA, preservation of blood residues, trace element studies, technological studies, conservation of cultural icons and artifacts now exhibited in several national museums, as well as conservation and materials analysis training. SCMRE staff have taught in interdisciplinary pilot programs in local high schools that are designed to link art, archaeology, and science to empirical practice. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTEST THE CUT OF SCMRE Before May 7, You Can Express Your Protest By Writing To The SI Board Of Regents Who Must Approve Secretary Small’s Proposed Budget Cuts. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist Supreme Court of the United States 1 First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20001 The Honorable Thad Cochran U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Bill Frist U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Patrick Leahy U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Robert Matsui U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Ralph Regula U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Sam Johnson U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Anne d’Harnoncourt Director, Philadelphia Museum of Art Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 26th Street Philadelphia, PA. 19130 Manuel Ibanez 7737 Starnberg Lake Drive Corpus Christi, TX. 78413 Dr. Walter Massey President, Morehouse College 830 Westview Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 Homer Neal Director, ATLAS Project University of Michigan Physics Dept., 375 West Hall Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Howard Baker 810 Penn. Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20090 Alan Spoon 7300 Loch Edin Ct. Potomac, MD 20854 Hanna Gray University of Chicago 501 So. Ellis Ave. Chicago, IL. 60637 Barber Conable The World Bank 1818 H St., NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Wesley Williams 7706 Ga. Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20090 Below is a letter that was sent by SAA president Bob Kelly to all members of SI’s Board of Regents Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist Supreme Court of the United States, 1 1st St., NE Washington, D.C. Honorable Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist: I am writing to you as President of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA), a Section 501 (c) (3) organization that was founded in 1934 and is incorporated in the District of Columbia. With more than 6600 members, SAA is the leading professional organization of archaeologists in the United States. Among the Society’s primary objectives is advocacy of the protection of archaeological resources and promotion of research on the archaeology of the Americas. I am writing to ask that the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents not terminate the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education (SCMRE). For nearly 40 years the SCMRE has been a leader in preserving cultural heritage and in advancing research into world prehistory. It has trained hundreds of researchers in the U.S. and some 40 other countries. The SCMRE has been instrumental in establishing standards for museum archive and storage climate controls, object transport, and photographic preservation, as well as DNA analysis, preservation of blood residue, trace element studies and conservation of cultural icons. It has presented over 500 training courses for conservators, and has sponsored a series of pre-and post-doctoral fellowships in Archaeology and Materials Analysis for 15 years. The Center pioneered research into trace element analysis, and has conducted research projects for nearly 30 years into prehistoric exchange and trade in the Americas, Africa and Asia. There is no other comparable center in the U.S. Indeed, research projects all over the world will suffer if the SCMRE is dismantled. In 1829 the English scientist James Smithson left his fortune to the people of the United States to found an institution for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge." The “diffusion” of knowledge speaks to the Smithsonian’s educational mandate, and the “increase” in knowledge speaks to its research mandate. Smithson wisely saw that research without education is worthless, and that education without research is stifling. The SCMRE is an essential part of the Smithsonian’s research mandate. The Society for American Archaeology urges in the strongest terms possible that the Smithsonian Board of Regents retain the Center for Materials Research and Education. Sincerely, Robert L. Kelly, Ph.D. President, Society for American Archaeology If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me at SAA. Donald Forsyth Craib Manager, Government Affairs, and Counsel Society for American Archaeology 202.789.8200 202.789.0284-fax [log in to unmask] ========================================================Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).