TIME SENSITIVE ISSUE

Once again, in conjunction with Museums Advocacy Day, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide $50 million in FY13 for the Office of Museum Services (OMS) at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The deadline for Senators to sign on to this letter is THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012.

Ask your Senators to SIGN THE GILLIBRAND APPROPRIATIONS LETTER today!

“Our collective efforts in the U.S. House resulted in a record number of supporters on the House Dear Colleague letter, with many Members of Congress signing on specifically because they were asked by constituents,” said AAM President Ford W. Bell. “Now we must ask Senators to join the Senate letter. Museums are a wise investment for Congress because they pump $20 billion into the economy and support 400,000 jobs, and Senators need to hear from us.”

Current funding for the Office of Museum Services is $30.8 million, the same amount requested in President Obama’s FY13 budget.

Please visit www.speakupformuseums.org to learn more about advocacy for museums.