Urgent Action Needed to Save Space Art Funding

June 23, 2005

San Francisco, Calif. — A bill eliminating funding for NASA Artists In Residence was passed by the US House and currently awaits review by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Bill H.R. 2862, Title VIII, Sec. 802 (Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006). Sec. 802, an amendment added by House Representative Chris Chocola (R-Indiana), reads:

“None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to employ any individual under the title ‘artist in residence.’”

This bill is currently pending the US Senate Appropriations Committee and will be passed by the Senate with the above amendment unless we try to change this by contacting Senators immediately. I urge you to see the contact information provided below for US Senators on the Senate Appropriations Committee and send them an email or a fax (sample letter for you to customize is provided below) and urge them to eliminate this amendment from the bill.

Sincerely, Frank Pietronigro


SAMPLE LETTER:

I urge the amend bill H.R. 2862, Title VIII, Sec. 802 to delete Sec.802 from the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006. Sec. 802, an amendment added by House Representative Chris Chocola (R-Indiana), reads:

‘None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to employ any individual under the title ‘artist in residence’.

This amendment neglects to take into consideration the significant benefits that are created for the American public when artists and scientists collaborate and inspire one another. Great American expeditions and explorations have always included teams of scientists and artists working together to contribute to the greater common good and the exploration of space should not be an exception.

This amendment symbolizes and reinforces a growing cultural divide within the United States and rather than building community this amendment does a great disservice to the American people because it fortifies divisions between the arts and the sciences. Artists pay taxes and should have the same access rights, as scientists do, to public property such as those properties administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

I hope you agree that art and culture has to travel into space right along side the sciences to the benefit of all Americans. Help eliminate Sec. 802 from this bill.

Sincerely,

SENATE CONTACTS:

Allard, Wayne (R - CO)
Ph: (202) 224-5941
Fax: 202-224-6471 (ATTN: Roger Brown)
Web Form: allard.senate.gov/contactme

Bennett, Robert (R - UT)
Ph: (202) 224-5444
Fax: 202-228-1168
Web Form: bennett.senate.gov/contact/emailmain.html

Bond, Christopher (R - MO)
Ph: (202) 224-5721
Web Form: bond.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

Brownback, Sam (R - KS)
Ph: (202) 224-6521
Fax: 202-228-1265
Web Form: brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm

Burns, Conrad (R - MT)
Ph: (202) 224-2644
Fax: 202-224-8594 (ATTN: Jodi Peters)
Web Form: burns.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Contact

Byrd, Robert (D - WV)
Ph: (202) 224-3954
Web Form: byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

Cochran, Thad (R - MS)
Ph: (202) 224-5054
Fax: 202-224-9450 (ATTN: Mr. Win Ellington)
Web Form: cochran.senate.gov/contact.htm

Craig, Larry (R - ID)
Ph: (202) 224-2752
Fax: 202-228-1067
Web Form: craig.senate.gov/email/

Domenici, Pete (R - NM)
Ph: (202) 224-6621
Fax: 202-228-1177
Web Form: domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm

Dorgan, Byron (D - ND)
Ph: (202) 224-2551
Fax: 202-224-1193
E-mail: senator@dorgan.senate.gov

Feinstein, Dianne (D - CA)
Ph: (202) 224-3841
Fax: 202-228-3954 (ATTN: Ryan Hunt)
Web Form: feinstein.senate.gov/email.html

Gregg, Judd (R - NH)
Ph: (202) 224-3324
Fax: 202-224-4952 (ATTN: Ms. Erin Rath)
E-mail: mailbox@gregg.senate.gov

Harkin, Tom (D - IA)
Ph: (202) 224-3254
Fax: 202-224-9369 (ATTN: Beth Stein)
Web Form: harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Hutchison, Kay (R - TX)
Ph: (202) 224-5922
Web Form: hutchison.senate.gov/e-mail.htm

Inouye, Daniel (D - HI)
Ph: (202) 224-3934
Fax: 202-224-6747 (ATTN: James Chang)
Web Form: inouye.senate.gov/webform.html

Kohl, Herb (D - WI)
Ph: (202) 224-5653
FAX: 202-224-9787 (ATTN: Mr. Phillip Karsting)
Web Form: kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html

Leahy, Patrick (D - VT)
Ph: (202) 224-4242
E-mail: senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov

Mikulski, Barbara (D - MD)
Ph: (202) 224-4654
Fax: 202-224-8858
Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov/mailform.html

Murray, Patty (D - WA)
Ph: (202) 224-2621
Fax: 202-224-0238 (ATTN: Jessica Lawrence)
Email: sameer_ranade@murray.senate.gov
Web Form: murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

Shelby, Richard (R - AL)
Ph: (202) 224-5744
E-mail: senator@shelby.senate.gov

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