<html>
<body>
If you're following environmental developments out of Washington, you
know that among all the dismal news there are a few bright spots, and one
is the TWW (aka SWG) program, which provides funding to states for
wildlife protection. This funding supports an important effort in
Illinois to describe and plan for the state's priority areas for
wildlife, including many in the Chicago Region.<br><br>
Citizen support for adequate funding for this program will be important
over the next few months. All of our calls and letters have
been critical to the success of this program so far. A phone call
or letter from you this week would be a big help - scroll down through
this message for the bold print to find the action item. <br><br>
Judy Pollock<br><br>
<br>
<font face="Times New Roman, Times">To:<x-tab> </x-tab>Teaming
with Wildlife Coalition<br>
From:<x-tab> </x-tab>Naomi Edelson, Teaming with
Wildlife Director, IAFWA<br>
Date:<x-tab> </x-tab>8 March 2005<br>
Re:<x-tab> </x-tab>TWW Update and Action
Needed<br><br>
1.<x-tab> </x-tab>Dear Colleague
Letter <br>
2.<x-tab> </x-tab>Ask Your Members of
Congress to Sign On - Your Help Needed<br><br>
1.<x-tab> </x-tab>Dear Colleague
Letter - Your Help Needed<br><br>
Our Congressional champions from last year have once again circulated a
letter among other Members of Congress (called a dear colleague letter)
to encourage their support for an increase in State Wildlife Grant
Funding for FY06. They are requesting $85 Million be considered by
the House and Senate Interior Appropriations Committees as they produce
their appropriations bill for this year. <br><br>
As you will recall, President Bush has started the debate by sending his
budget to Capitol Hill in early February. He provided $74M for
State Wildlife Grants. This was a victory right off the bat as the
$74M is a $5M increase over last year's final level. However, we
all know that the needs of the State Wildlife Grants program are MUCH
greater. The Dear Colleague letter reflects that by asking for an
increase above the President's budget. The highest level of funding
for this four year program was $85M in FY02. This level of funding
would restore us to that previous high level. <br><br>
Last year's letter asked for $100M but this year's request for $85M
reflects the current tight budget with many other programs being cut or
even eliminated. Bipartisan support is critical to our success and
our Congressional champions felt this number would increase our chances
of securing support from more Members.<br><br>
The Members of Congress leading in circulating the letters include:
<b>Senators Warner (R-VA) and Lincoln (D-AR) and Representatives Saxton
(R-NJ), Thompson (D-CA), Hayes (R-NC) and Kind (D-WI).</b> We
owe them a BIG THANKS for once again taking on this championship
role!!!!<br><br>
2.<x-tab> </x-tab>Ask Your Members of
Congress to Sign On - Your Help Needed<br><br>
Last year, we had a quarter of the House (111 Representatives) and over
half of the Senate (52) sign the dear colleague letters. This year
we can build on that great success and DO EVEN MORE.
</font><font size=4><b>Our goal is 150 House members and 60
Senators!!!! <br><br>
Please CONTACT your Members of Congress and ask them to sign the dear
colleague letter for $85M for the State Wildlife Grants
program</b></font>. The letters are posted at
<a href="http://www.teaming.com. /" eudora="autourl">www.teaming.com.
</a> Last year's signatories also are still available at
<a href="http://www.teaming.com/" eudora="autourl">www.teaming.com</a> -
most Members that signed last year will likely sign again this year.
REMIND them they signed last year and for MORE money. This one
should be even easier. <br><br>
<b><u>Thirty six House Members already signed the letter </u></b>as a
result of last week's Hill visits during the TWW Fly In Day! We
will keep you updated on who signs the letter at
<a href="http://www.teaming.com. /" eudora="autourl">www.teaming.com.
</a> We'd like to see ONE HUNDRED sign the letter by NEXT WEEK.<br><br>
<b>The DEADLINE to sign these letters is March 31st</b>. That is
only a few weeks away. Congress has scheduled a "recess"
for the last two weeks of March (March 21 - April 1) so it is really
important to secure their signatures before they leave town - leaving
only a week and a half. DON'T DELAY, CONTACT THEM
TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <br><br>
Sample Letters, Talking Points tailor for this year, and Overview of the
State Wildlife Grants program, and links to House and Senate
websites all can be found at
<a href="http://www.teaming.com. /" eudora="autourl">www.teaming.com.
</a> <br><br>
Remember: Best way to contact Members of Congress is by fax, telephone or
email. Regular letters are delayed by weeks due to irradiation procedures
etc. Go to
<a href="http://www.house.gov/" eudora="autourl">www.house.gov</a> or
<a href="http://www.senate.gov/" eudora="autourl">www.senate.gov</a> to
obtain contact information on your Members of Congress or use the links
provide at
<a href="http://www.teaming.com/" eudora="autourl">www.teaming.com</a>.<br><br>
The next TWW update will include information on the Fly In Day, Members
of Congress given Awards, and other information.<br><br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
Judy Pollock<br>
jpollock@audubon.org</body>
</html>