Following is an *Action Alert* AAM Government and Public Affairs faxed last night to over 2000 members of its Museum Advocacy Team. ********************************************* To: MUSEUM ADVOCACY TEAM From: AAM Government Affairs Date: April 20, 1999 Re: Congress begins FY2000 Funding Process, Contacts Needed for OMS We are asking Congress for a big increase in Office of Museum Services (OMS) funding and need your help now, as funding decisions are being made. AAM is urging that appropriators recommend funding for the OMS within the IMLS at $40 million for FY2000. The agency was funded at $23.4 million in FY1999, down from $28.8 million in FY1995. This increase would accommodate the president's budget request for new technology and leadership initiatives as well as our request for a much needed boost for core programs, such as General Operating Support (GOS) grants, which have been level funded for several years. As you know, operating support funds remain the most difficult for museums to obtain. In addition, OMS reviewers have stated that close to 60% of GOS applications are worthy of funding, but OMS has only the funds to award 20% of applicants. Please contact your Senators and Representative within the next week and urge them to increase funding for the OMS to $40 million for FY2000. We especially urge MAT members to write if your Senator and/or Representative is listed below -- these are the key appropriators, i.e. members of the subcommittees who are responsible for recommending the funding level for the OMS. (If you can't make the contact within this time frame, remember late is much better than never.) As always, examples of how you have used or would use OMS funding to serve families and children are most effective. Please share copies of your letters and any responses you get with us by mail (see address below), fax 202/289-6578; or e-mail [log in to unmask] Thank you. Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee: Ted Stevens, Alaska; Dianne Feinstein, California; Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Colorado; Thad Cochran, Mississippi; Conrad Burns, Montana; Harry Reid, Nevada; Judd Gregg, New Hampshire; Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico; Byron Dorgan, North Dakota; Ernest F. Hollings, South Carolina; Robert F. Bennett, Utah; Patrick J. Leahy, Vermont; Slade Gorton (Chairman), Washington; Robert C. Byrd, West Virginia; Herb Kohl, Wisconsin. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee: Robert E. (Bud) Cramer, Jr., Alabama-5th district; Jim Kolbe, Arizona-5th; Jack Kingston, Georgia-1st; Joe Skeen, New Mexico-2nd; Maurice D. Hinchey, New York-26th; Charles H. Taylor, North Carolina-11th; Ralph Regula (Chairman), Ohio-16th; John P. Murtha, Penn-12th; John E. Peterson, Penn-5th; Zach Wamp, Tenn-3rd; James P. Moran, Virginia-8th; Norman Dicks, Wash-6th; George R. Nethercutt, Jr., Wash-5th. *********************************** Museum Advocacy Team (MAT): If you are a member of AAM or an affiliated organization, or if you work for a member institution, we invite you to join the Museum Advocacy Team. To receive our government affairs Action Alerts, please send your name, institution, address, phone, fax, and e-mail address to Nichole Schulze at: 1575 Eye St. N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005 or e-mail [log in to unmask]