Please forward to any friends you have in Cali, TN, ID, or WA.
...................................................................... Congress Needs to Hear Us NOW! Postby PYoungbaer » Oct 6, 2009 1:43 pm Important Action Needed Now Folks, this is it. We have one more crucial thing we must do to secure additional research funding from Congress. We need calls NOW - Today - This Week. It will make a difference. Here's the background scoop: Any funding for WNS research will come through the Department of Interior Appropriations Bill. As we told you previously, a version has passed the House and a different version has passed the Senate. The Bill is now in what's called a Conference Committee where the differences get ironed out. The House added no new money; the Senate only $500,000. I've spoken with several Senators and Representatives and their staff members, and there is a move to significantly increase the amount in Conference Committee. The response has been positive, and we are optimistic, But it will depend on how much they hear from constituents - that means YOU! Here's the Action: We are only contacting four key members of the Conference Committee: Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior Chair Diane Feinstein (CA) and Ranking Member Lamar Alexander (TN) and House Subcommittee on Interior20Chair Norman Dicks (WA)and Ranking Member Michael Simpson (ID). It is very important that if you live in their states you contact them. If you don't live in their states, but know cavers who do, please urge them to make the contact. Below are the Washington phone numbers of these four key people. Ask for their Environmental Legislative Aide. Or, if you call their state office, ask for their State Director. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Chairman) (CA)- (202) 224-3841 [Contact information for Senator, Aides and State Directors can be found at http://feinstein.senate.gov] Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Ranking) (TN)- (202) 224-4944 [Contact information for Senator, Aides and State Directors can be found at http://alexander.senate.gov] His State Director is Patrick Jaynes - (865) 545-4253 Congressman Norman Dicks (D-Chairman) (WA)- (202) 225-5916 [Contact information for the Congressman, Aides and State Directors can be found at http://www.house.gov/dicks] His Environmental Aide is Greg Knadle -(202) 225-3081. He is very knowledgeable about WNS, but needs to hear that there is strong support. I've spoken with him - he's very friendly - but he needs to hear from you in order for Congressman Dicks to agree to House putting in more money. Congressman Michael Simpson (R-Ranking) (ID)- (202) 225-5531 [Contact information for the Congressman, Aides and State Directors can be found at http://simpson.house.gov] Here's the Message: Your message should be asking the member to "support significantly increased funding for research and prevention of WNS." Please don’t mention a dollar amount or any proposed amendments. Since the Committee hasn’t met yet, members will be unaware of these specifics and it will only serve to confuse things. The better message is that there is broad based support for increasing funding to stop this deadly disease that's killing our bats. Keep it simple. Here's a Sample Phone Call: Hi, this is Caver Sue. I'm a constituent of the Senator, living in Sinking Springs. I'm calling regarding the Interior Appropriations Conference Committee. I'm urging the Senator to support significantly increased funding for research and prevention of White Nose Syndrome, the disease that is killing all the bats. As someone who spends a lot of time in caves myself, I know how important bats are to the ecosystem, given that they eat up to their own weight in insects every night. White Nose Syndrome is spreading fast, and I urge the Senator to support significant funding to get out ahead of the disease. Thank you. Keep it Simple. They may ask you some questions. Speak honestly, sincerely, but positively. Thank them. I'd appreciate hearing any feedback from your contacts. Fellow cavers - this is important. Not only for the bats, but for demonstrating the strength and commitment of the NSS and organized caving. I strongly believe our efforts here will help re-open caves more quickly. Please act now. Thank you! Peter Youngbaer NSS 16161 WNS Liaison [email protected] _______________________________________________ NMCAVER mailing list [email protected] http://caver.net/mailman/listinfo/nmcaver_caver.net
