June 28, 1995
 
REP. DELAY MAY OFFER AMENDMENT TO CUT NATIONAL TRUST FUNDING
VOTE POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY
 
Although the House Appropriations Committee yesterday  voted down an attempt
by  Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) to cut all federal funding for the National
Trust for Historic Preservation,  it appears he may try again when the bill
is taken up on the floor of the  House of Representatives.  The vote on his
amendment could come on Friday.
 
BACKGROUND: The National Trust receives an annual grant from the National
Historic Preservation Fund. The Trust's share  had already been cut in half
last week by the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, from $7 million
proposed in the President's budget to $3.5 million approved by the Interior
Appropriations Subcommittee last week.  Yesterday the Full Appropriations
Committee voted to keep the funding level at $3.5 million.
        The National Trust had proposed a gradual phase out of federal funds of 20%
per year over the next five years, which would give the Trust time to find
private sources to replace the federal funds.  The 50% cut that the Committee
proposed is devastating.  A 100% cut would be catastrophic.
 
ACTION NEEDED: The Trust has asked for the preservation community's help in
defeating Rep. DeLay's amendment on the floor of the House of
Representatives.  Contact your Representative and ask him or her to vote NO
on Rep. DeLay's amendment.
        Any Congressional office can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard at
(202) 224-3121.
 
Prepared by Loretta Neumann, President, CEHP Incorporated