Fun_People Archive
30 Jan
N.E.A. under attack

Date: Mon, 30 Jan 95 13:45:31 PST
From: Peter Langston <psl>
To: Fun_People
Subject: N.E.A. under attack
Cc: david@jaffe.com

[Fun_People: Okay, I know this isn't Fun in itself, but orgs like the NEA are
an important part of Fun_Support (the Fun Acquisition Infrastructure),
irrespective of all the business advantages of living in a culturally rich
environment.  So reading and acting on this may be a part of the dues-paying
that goes with being Fun.  -psl]
 
From: david@jaffe.com (David A. Jaffe)

Hi gang,

I urge you to speak out and let your representatives know that the Arts are
essential.  There is a 900 number you can call to quickly send a mailgram. 
Below is some information I received by snail-mail from the American Music
Center that describes how to do it.

David A Jaffe
Berkeley, CA
david@jaffe.com

-------------
The future of our cultural agencies, including the National Endowment for the
Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Museum
Services, is seriously threatened.  These agencies face severe cuts to their
current funding, and may be eliminated entirely.

The American Music Center strongly urges you to make your voice heard in
Washington, CD.  Please ask your friends, family members, supporters, local
businesses, vendors, and suppliers to join you in registering your views on
federal support for the arts and humanities.  Here are two very easy ways to do so:

1) The Emergency Committee to Save Culture and the Arts, a project of the
American Arts Alliance, has set up a 1-900 number to help you contact your
representatives.  When you call 1-900-370-9000, the following will happen:

<<Note from David Jaffe: You must call between the following hours (Eastern
Standard Time):

	Mon-Thurs: 9 AM - 10 PM
	Fri: 9 AM - 5 PM
	Sat: 9 AM - 1 PM
	Sun: 5 PM - 9 PM

Also, note that when you call the 900 number you get an answering service that
was contracted by the Emergency Committee to Save Culture and the Arts.  So
don't try to ask them anything--just give your address and phone number and
hang up quickly.
>>

After a brief statement that the call costs $1.99 per minute and that you must
be 18 or over, the operator will ask you if you will allow the Emergency
Committee to send a mailgram in your name to your two Senators and one
Representative. 

If you say yes, the above process will take place and be billed to your home
phone.  By leaving your name, address, and zipcode, you will be matched with
your correct congressional district to be sure that the appropriate elected
officials receive the mailgram.

2) Contact your representatives directly, letting them know the importance of
federal cultural support in your area.  You can phone their offices locally
(call local information for the office number of your member of Congress), or
you can write to them in Washington D.C.  Address letters to:

The Honorable (Name of Representative)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative ------------

The Honorable (Name of Senator)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senator ------------

If you have any questions, contact us at the American Music Center.  Our email
address is: AMC@tmn.com.  Our fax is 212/366-5265.

Please make yourself heard now and urge others to do the same.

Nancy S. Clarke
Executive Director

January 20, 1995

[Clever Fun_People who kept a copy of the Congressional E-Mail Addresses list
should keep in mind that email contact, although better than nothing, probably
does not count as heavily as a letter or phone call...  -psl]
Fun_People Archive 30 JanN.E.A. under attack

Fun_People Archive
30 Jan
N.E.A. under attack
