Friends,

I'm posting the following info I recieved today from an organization known as Americans for the Arts.  This is something I feel strongly about an urge you to read the following (it's not too long):

"President Bush today sent his FY 2008 budget request to Congress, beginning the yearly appropriations process for the nation's cultural agencies and programs, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Office of Museum Services (OMS), Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs."

"For the seventh consecutive year, the President's budget has eliminated funding for the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs, which include funding for model arts programs and collaborations with schools, teacher professional development, and arts programs for at-risk youth."

"The President's budget is the first step in the appropriations process.  While it serves as an important framework, Congress has the power to set its own priorities and change these funding levels.  That's where you come in."

"Arts advocates can make their voices heard by writing their Members of Congress and urging them to increase funding for arts and culture and restore funding for arts in education programs."

If anyone would like more info on this organization please let me know.  I think that this budget proposal  is just appalling.  Please help if you can by writing a letter to your congressman.

Thanks everyone.