[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY DESERVES FEDERAL SUPPORT

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 1996

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about yesterday's decision 
during consideration of the VA-HUD independent agencies appropriations 
bill for fiscal year 1997 to remove funding for the National Center for 
Science Literacy, Education, and Technology at the American Museum of 
Natural History in New York.
  With more than 200 professional scientists and unbeatable resources 
and capabilities, the museum is positioned to provide the highest level 
of return on our country's investment in NASA's mission to planet 
Earth, in translating and extending scientific findings to the general 
public. This project is not local but national in scope. The museum and 
its Hayden Planetarium interact with more than 3 million visitors 
annually from every State in the country. It already welcomes more than 
500,000 children each year and its laudable goal is to reach schools 
and families throughout the Nation using the most advanced 21st century 
technology.
  There is little doubt that we must do a better job to ensure that our 
children have the highest available level of scientific understanding 
as it relates to our own planet. This project will do precisely that.
  Mr. Speaker, we will still have an opportunity to restore the funds 
in the House-Senate conference on this bill. And, I would urge the 
House conferees to support a $13 million investment by the Federal 
Government in this $135 million center, which has already raised more 
then $70 million from a number of host State, host city, and private 
sources.

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