Monday, January 19, 2009

American Association of Museums Advocacy Efforts

The American Association of Museums (AAM) is planning a Museums Advocacy Day. They are inviting museum professionals and advocates from around the country to Washington , DC on February 23-24. AAM is also calling for a response to the $825 billion economic recovery package Congress is proposing to create or save jobs and strengthen the nation's infrastructure. The bill proposed in the House Appropriations Committee - http://appropriations.house.gov/ -has a provision to prohibit any funds in the bill from going to zoos or aquariums. The bill states: "None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool."


AAM believes that this is a misunderstanding of the vital role that zoos and aquariums - and other museums and historic sites - play in our society, and the role they will play in the economic recovery of states and localities. They are calling for supporters to contact their legislators. Info is available here.

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