Museums must act before House-Senate conference committee re Coburn Amendment

The passage of the Coburn Amendment late last week was a blow to museums across the country. In the press release below the American Association of Museums is urging individuals to contact their Senators and Representatives to alert them that museums have an economic impact and stimulate employment. Please use the links below to go to the AAM's web site to send emails to your Senators and Representatives. I have done so and gotten emails from Senator Specter within a day. Phone calls to the district office are more effective according to the Senator. The AAM web site also has phone numbers for every member of Congress. Thank you.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS ACT NOW Museum Advocacy Update
Amendment Excluding Museums Passes Senate, 73-24 Tell Congress About Your Museum's Economic Impact!

During Senate consideration of the economic recovery legislation today, an amendment was passed prohibiting funds from going to museums, zoos, and aquariums. The amendment, offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (S. Amdt. No. 309), states, “ None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquariums, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, art center and highway beautification project. ”

The amendment was adopted on a 73-24 vote. You can see how your Senators voted HERE .
Differences between the House and Senate versions of the economic stimulus legislation will have to be resolved in a House-Senate conference committee before the bill is submitted to the President.

“Congress needs to be reminded that museums are a vital part of our economy,” said AAM President Ford W. Bell. “It's time for us to make our case and I am calling on all museums to send their Members of Congress an Economic Impact Statement showing the ways in which their museum contributes to the economy.”

You can do this today by answering a few questions about your museum HERE , the information you provide will be automatically entered into letters that you can send to your Members of Congress.

Most Members of Congress do not realize that museums employ more than a quarter-million Americans, spend an estimated $14.5 billion annually, and rank among the top three family vacation destinations. Let them know about the local impact your museum has by contacting your U.S. Senators and Representative today!

Visit www.speakupformuseums.org for more information about AAM's advocacy for museums.