[UAGCNews] Javits Funding in Danger!

[Michelle Fish]

UAGC Members and Friends,

Advocates for the needs of the gifted and talented will have their hands full this year as we try to obtain funding for the Javits program in FY 2008.  Fortunately,  supporters in Congress are circulating "Dear Colleague" letters urging others to join them in requesting $11.25 million for the Javits program in FY 2008 (the $11.25 million is the same amount as the program received in FY 2002, before across-the-board spending cuts took their toll).  The program currently receives $9.6 million.  Javits funding provides research and support for the gifted and talented.  The National Research Center for the Gifted and Talented as well as a local initiative, "Advanced Readers At Risk", are both supported by funds from the Javits Program.  
 
We have until April 10 (Senate) and April 11 (House) to get as many co-signers on the Senate and House letters as possible. 
 
Senators Charles Grassley (Iowa) and Christopher Dodd (CT) and Representative Elton Gallegly (CA-24) are leading the letters that are currently circulating in the Senate and House.   Jane Clarenbach, NAGC Director of Public Education and Affiliate Relations, has posted those letters on the NAGC website at http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=585. 
 
You may locate contact information on your representatives in Congress by using the links provided on the Advocacy webpage at the UAGC website.  The URL is http://uagc.org/advocacy.html.  Please take a moment to contact your representative and senators with an email, letter or phone advocating to bring funding for Javits back to the FY 2002 level of $11.5 million.  Encourage them to co-sign on the Senate and House letters being circulated by Senators Grassley and Dodd, and Representative Gallegly. We appreciate your help and support on this matter.