Take Action for the National Archives!

President Trump has once again proposed major cuts to the National Archives and the elimination of the National Historical Publications & Records Commission in his FY 2021 budget request.

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Subject:

Please support the National Archives!

Dear Official,

As a constituent, I am writing to urge you to support funding for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and its grant-making arm the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

The Trump Administration has recommended funding of $345.6 million for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Operating Expenses in fiscal year 2020, which is a reduction of $27.4 million from the FY 19 level of $373 million. By comparison, NARA’s budget in FY 11 was $339 million. I urge you to support funding NARA at a level of $410 million for FY 20.
	
No government agency can absorb such significant decreases in funding without concomitant decreases in public services. Current funding levels are not adequate to serve legitimate public needs for accessibility and government accountability. American citizens rely on access to immigration and naturalization and census records (held by NARA) to conduct daily activities. Veterans and their families rely on military records (held by NARA) to gain access to their benefits. And in recent years, NARA has been forced to cut back on public services and research hours at its facilities because of lack of funding.

We understand that Congress continues to face enormous fiscal challenges in crafting the federal budget for FY 20.  Although we’ve come to expect cuts as a result of these tight budget parameters, we are disappointed that the President has chosen to target programs at the National Archives that facilitate public access to the agency’s holdings and provide citizens with the historical context to appreciate and understand our democratic heritage. Increased federal spending for archives is necessary to manage, preserve and make accessible the federal government’s records.

The Trump Administration is also proposing the elimination of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) grants program. I urge you to ask appropriators to reject this proposal and to support funding for NHPRC at a level of $10 million.

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the ‘grant-making’ arm of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) was established by Congress in 1934 to promote the preservation and use of the American documentary record. NHPRC grants support a wide range of activities to increase public access to historical records and to publish, in print and/or electronically, the papers of significant figures and themes relating to the history of the United States. In addition, NHPRC archival grants assist state and local governments in disaster preparedness, helping localities protect and preserve their vital public records during natural disasters.

Thank you for your consideration.

Regards, Your Name

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Hello, Thank you for taking my call! I'm a constituent from [city/town] and I am calling today in support of the humanities.

There are currently Dear Colleague Letters circulating in the House and the Senate supporting increased funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities. I would like to request that Representative/Senator [name] sign the letter.

For House offices: The House letter is sponsored by Rep. David Price.

For Senate offices: The Senate letter is sponsored by Senator Tom Udall.

Do you know what the Representative/Senator's position is on the National Endowment for the Humanities?

Optional Talking Points

Have you received an NEH grant or participated in or attended and NEH funded project? Share your experience with the agency!
NEH grants are critical for encouraging private financing of projects. Challenge Grants, for example, have been leveraged at a 3:1 ratio, while State Council grants are leveraged at a 5:1 ratio and Public Programs at an 8:1 ratio.
NEH grants are highly competitive, funding less than 16% of peer-reviewed grant applications.
NEH's Standing Together initiative supports veterans and their families in the transition back to civilian life, and promotes public understanding of the military experience for all Americans.
NEH-supported humanities councils provide continuing education and family literacy programs in every state in the country.

In all, please try to keep the conversation to just a few minutes.