ISTOOK AMENDMENT

[Elaine Hoagland]

The House of Representatives passed a "Continuing Resolution" last night =
to keep the government funded during budget negotiations.  The ISTOOK =
AMENDMENT to restrict "political advocacy" by the not-for-profit =
community, including universities and museums, was attached to the =
resolution.  The amendment was very controversial, but it passed, and is =
being considered by the Senate THIS AFTERNOON!

We urge U.S. citizens to CALL your US Senators right now, this =
afternoon, to express opposition to the ISTOOK Amendment and to any =
Continuing Resolution which includes the Istook Amendment.  There is no =
time for letters. Call the Senate switchboard at 202-224-3121 to be =
connected to your Senator's office.  If you don't know the names of your =
Senators, the switchboard operator can help you.  Once you reach your =
Senator's office, ask to speak to the person handling the Istook =
Amendment and the Continuing Resolution.

If this amendment passes, you and your institution will be severely =
restricted in your ability to talk with federal and local agencies =
(inlcuding NSF), to present scientific information to policymakers, and =
even to write letters to the editor.  You will be saddled with crippling =
record-keeping requirements and reporting,  If you think grant =
applications are cumbersome now, you haven't seen anything yet!  You =
will be open to potential harassment and legal action from individuals =
who disagree with your positions on such things as biodiversity =
protection.  Organizations such as ASC will be prevented or severely =
restricted in their ability to represent you on such issues as federal =
regulations and science policy.

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME RIGHT NOW TO CALL YOUR SENATOR; YOU KNOW THE RESULT =
WHEN WELL-INTENTIONED PEOPLE DO NOT ACT.
Spread the word to others.

202-224-3121:   SENATE SWITCHBOARD

Message from the Association of Systematics Collections