THe American Association of Museums has issued a formal alert requesting its members to contact their representatives in Congress regarding the vote to strike Transportation Enhancements funding from the reauthorization of the TEA-21 transportaiton bill. THe text of AAM's alert follows:

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MAT Action Alert
Priority Level: URGENT – Action needed

To: MUSEUM ADVOCACY TEAM®
From: AAM Government & Public Affairs
Date: July 18, 2003
Re: Call Now to Save Museum Funding in FY2004 Transportation Appropriations

Background
On Friday, July 11 the House Transportation and Treasury Appropriations subcommittee voted to eliminate funding for the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program for the next fiscal year (FY2004) beginning October 1, 2003. The full House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the subcommitteeÂ’s recommendations on Monday, July 21.

TE provides significant funding to museums and has been a valued part of the federal highway program since it was introduced in 1991. In that year the Intermodal Surface Transportation Equity Act (ISTEA) replaced the federal highway program and came with the mandate that highway spending should also enhance the transportation experience and make communities more livable. TE was again part of ISTEAÂ’s 1998 predecessor, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), and is included in SAFETEA, the AdministrationÂ’s proposed reauthorization of TEA-21. TE-funded projects have enhanced the transportation experience and made communities more livable. Museums have used TE funds to improve pedestrian access, direct visitors with signage on highways and trails, and build parking lots. TE funds are also used for historic preservation and the establishment of transportation museums or the addition of a transportation wing to an existing museum.

TE is a modest part of the federal highway program, but has provided significant funding for museums across the country. A recent analysis of data from the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse shows that, since 1992, at least 300 museums have directly received nearly $110 million in federal TE funds. Many more museums have benefited from TE projects in their communities. It is imperative that funding for this program is restored.

Action Needed
Please call, e-mail, or fax your Representative and tell them Transportation Enhancements funding must be restored in FY2004 House Transportation and Treasury Appropriations. Please check the list of committee members that follows this message to find out if your representative is a member. If your Representative is on the committee, urge them to oppose the proposed elimination of TE funding when the full committee considers the Transportation and Treasury Appropriations next week. If your Representative is not on the committee, ask them to contact their colleagues on the committee and urge them to oppose the elimination.

It is important to inform your representative how TE projects at your museum or in your area have enhanced your community. To learn about projects in your area visit www.enhancements.org and follow the link for “Projects” to access the searchable database. A list of TE talking points follows this message.

Contact information for all members of the House of Representatives is available at www.house.gov. You can also “Find Your Representative” by entering your zip code at the top of the home page.

If you have any questions, please contact Audra Acey at 202-289-9125 or aacey@aam-us.org

You are encouraged to share Museum Advocacy Team® Action Alerts with colleagues. They may be redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits.

Museum Advocacy Team® is a network of museum professionals that educate policymakers and advocate for federal policies favorable to museums. MAT members are sent alerts about unfolding events on pending national legislation so they can act quickly to express their views to their representatives in Congress on issues important to their museum. If you would like to be added or removed from the distribution list for Museum Advocacy Team® Action Alerts, please contact AAM Government & Public Affairs at (202) 289-9125 or by e-mail at: MAT@aam-us.org.

Transportation Enhancements Talking Points

Transportation Enhancements contribute to the preservation of AmericaÂ’s cultural heritage. TE funds have enabled the restoration of historic transportation structures and supported transportation-related museums and historic sites that might have otherwise been neglected without this important funding.

Transportation Enhancements bring together state departments of transportation and local arts and culture agencies for projects developed by community organizations to enhance transportation.

Transportation Enhancements help increase the amount of tourist dollars spent in local communities with such TE-funded activities as visitor and welcome centers that provide cultural tourism information and trail markers and directional signs for historic and cultural destinations.

Transportation Enhancements enrich the experience of traveling throughout the United States. The federal highway legislation mandates that highway spending needs to involve much more than just roads. Popular programs that enhance the transportation experience include scenic byways and overlooks, non-highway transportation alternatives such as bike throughways and walking trails, and historic points of interest. Museums and historic sites enrich traveling with educational and cultural experiences.

A list of US House of Representatives Appropriations Committee members is available at http://www.house.gov/appropriations/members.htm.

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