It is once more the time of year to voice your support for NHD, and to press your representatives in Congress to appropriate federal funds to one of the longest-running education programs in the country. Phone calls from constituents like you and your friends compelled 31 Representatives and 21 Senators to support NHD in a Dear Colleague letter last year!

For grassroots activism, that is a tremendous result, and I am certain that your energy and concern can bring us even closer to federal funding this year. I want to emphasize that we were very close to being included in last years budget, which gives us momentum this year.

Two letters are now circulating in Congress one in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives asking Members of Congress to support $5 million in funding for the National History Day program in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bills for fiscal year 2009.

In the Senate the letter is being circulated by Senators Akaka (D-HI) and Coleman (R-MN), and in the House the letter is being circulated by Rep. Van Hollen (D-MD).As part of the federal appropriations process, Dear Colleague letters are circulated to Chairs of the Appropriations Subcommittees urging them to include funding in the overall bill which funds the Department of Education for certain programs. We must get as many signatures as possible supporting $5 million for National History Day.

We need your help getting signatures. Please call both your Senators and Members of the House of Representatives and tell them:

Your name and where your program and services are located. Tell them you are calling today to urge the Representative to sign the Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Rep.Van Hollen supporting funding for National History Day. (If youre talking to a Senate office urge them to sign the Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Sens. Akaka and Coleman).

Please sign the Dear Colleague so we can continue to expand the reach of the program through the district and state.

In the House of Representatives, contact Sarah Schenning in Rep. Van Hollens (D-MD) office.

In the Senate, contact Bonni Berg in Sen. Akakas (D-HI) office or Andy Burmeister (R-MN) in Sen. Colemans office.
If you dont know how to reach your representative go to www.house.gov or call the Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121, and they will connect you.

Please call your Senators and Representatives TODAY.

Cathy Gorn, Ph.D.
Executive Director
National History Day
0119 Cecil Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
P: (301) 314-9748
F: (301) 314-9767
http://www.nhd.org