TMS Public and Governmental Affairs Resource Center

A Call to Action from the Federation of Materials Societies and TMS Public & Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Iver E. Anderson:

Below is a sample "skeleton" letter that you should modify to your particular situation, including the numbers of your students and staff that will be affected at your own institution by federal budget cuts. To find your senators and representatives, go to www.senate.gov/ and www.house.gov/. Complete the letter below and either e-mail or fax your letter to the appropriate members of Congress, as U.S. mail to the Capitol is diverted for security screening.

Dear [Insert your Congressional Leader's Name Here],

As you consider how to formulate the budget for fiscal year 2007, we urge you to honor the commitment made to science, engineering, and education programs in the Democratic Innovation Agenda and the American Competitiveness Initiative.

Authorizing and appropriations committees in the 109th Congress supported increased funding for research and education programs of the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. Their initiatives recognize the importance of such investment to the future economic well being and national security of the United States. Freezing funding at FY2006 levels will result in closure of facilities, layoffs of hundreds of scientists, engineers, and support staff, and a sharp reduction of university programs.

[Insert here how your own university or company could be affected]

We understand that there are many interests competing for what the joint Democratic statement of December 11 called 'the nation's most important policy concerns." There are few that will result in such immediate and long-term gains in an increasingly competitive world.

Sincerely,

[Your name and home address]

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