Ask the Scholar

Document scope · 1 page
doc
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory. For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
472516211
label
John LoCicero
core
doc
dtoType
document
pageCount
1
Source metadata
Source extras
naId
472516211
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
2800759-20240267S-028-011-2024
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
dd50d1756de8a10f
ocrText
SEP-11-1996 22:33 P.01 copy for Jen To: Harold Ickes Company: The White House Phone: 202-456-2459 Fax: 202-456-2464 From: John LoCicero Company: LoCicero and Tan, Inc. Phone: (212)608-0888 Fax: (212)608-0458 Date: 9/11/96 Pages including this cover page: 8 Facsimile Cover Sheet Comments: SEP-11-1996 22:33 P.02 LoCICERO TAN GOVERNMENT RELATIONS JOHN LoCICERO September 11, 1996 Dear Harold: Anything you can do for the Museum I would appreciate. John SEP-11-1996 22:33 P.03 American Museum of Natural History Carbora Dayer Vann Sermar View President Operations and Government Relations September 9, 1996 BY FACSIMILE (202-608-0458) John LoCicero LoCicero & Tan, Inc. 123 William Street, 22nd Floor New York, NY 10038 Dear John: Thanks for agreeing to contact Harold Ickes on behalf of the Museum I've attached a one-page description of the status of the appropriation we are seeking. We have briefed Thurgood Marshall, Jr. in the Vice President's office, and Jack Gibbons, the science advisor to the President. In addition, we have met with Dan Goldin, Administrator of NASA However, we would like Ickes to be aware of the effort and ask that he lend his help if needed. Specifically, as the conference process begins this week, the White House will have a great deal to say about the outcome. We are concerned that the White House remain neutral on the earmark and not oppose its inclusion in the conference report We have the strong support of the entire House and Senate New York delegation and the House leadership Also, as you know, we have broad support for the project from the City Council, Borough President, Mayor and Governor. Anything that Ickes can do to keep his eye on this for us would be much appreciated Feel free to forward the documents attached to Ickes, and if he requires any additional materials, just let as know. Many, many thanks. Regards, Barbara Buil Dwyer Gunn Attachments: Status, Mission Statement, Board Member List Central Park West at 7'1'11 Street, New York, N.Y. 10024-5192. USA 212-769-5260 Fux 212-769-5018 SEP-11-1996 22:34 P.04 STATUS The Senate has concluded all major action on the VA/HUD Appropriation Bill for FY1997. Final negotiations on a House-Senate agreement on this legislation will move very quickly There is still every possibility that this bill will still move forward as a separate, freestanding measure The Senate bill does strike the Brown Amendment that was reluctantly agreed to in the House that restricted any NASA funding from going to the American Museum of Natural History. That amendment unfairly restricted the AMNH's rightful participation in federal space science funding. We are still hopeful that in the final House-Senare Compromise, an agreement can now be reached on a reasonable federal participation in the AMNH's massive commitment to national science education and literacy a commitment of $135 million. The AMNH had never sought more than 10% federal participation, and on their own they have raised over $70 million in other city, state, private sector and foundation support. Yet this project could be of immcasurable help to NASA in linking the major federal investments in NASA more effectively to people and schools throughout the country. No other entity can offer to the federal government and NASA what the AMNH can offer. through its world renowned and incomparable collections and exhibitry, and through its reach to millions of visitors, children and families each year from every state in this nation, and through financial commitment to and investment in NASA's need to promote space science education and science literacy. Our objective is a final House-Senate agreement that will further advance a federal financial and programmatic investment and participation in the AMNH/National Center. We are still hopeful that the original $13 million commitment can be reinstated in the final agreement. Everyone will benefit, including and especially NASA and the federal role in science education. SEP-11-1996 22:34 P.05 A PROPOSAL FOR FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR A NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENCE LITERACY, EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND HAYDEN PLANETARIUM MISSION STATEMENT The American Museum of Natural History will open four major new exhibition halls by the turn of the century. The world-famous Hayden Planetarium will be recreated as part of a major new complex including a 90 foot sphere housing a new Sky Theater; a Hall of the Universe; a Hall of Planet Earth and a Hall of Life's Diversity. These spectacular new exhibition spaces will address some of the most significant scientific issues of our time and revolutionize the educational impact of the Museum through the use of new distance-learning technologies that extend its reach beyond its walls, making it a true national center for science literacy, education and technology. For over 125 years, the American Museum of Natural History has been interpreting science for a lay public. Today, over 200 scientists at the Museum actively pursue scientific expeditions and research all over the world and in the most modern and sophisticated laboratories at the Museum. Now, with the benefit of new technologies, their discoveries can be shared beyond the already impressive three-million-plus visitors who come to the Museum every year, by extending the Museum's educational programs beyond its walls and into classrooms, homes and community centers across the United States. Our exhibitions will be visited on the World Wide Web, real- time images (from such sources as the Hubble Telescope) will be viewed in the classroom or home, and massive amounts of scientific data will be interpreted for learning purposes. Working with science and educational technology centers throughout the world, we will use this facility to translate ground breaking science into practical, yet exciting, educational programs for literally millions of school children and adults from all regions of the country. Thus, our strategic goal is no less than to enhance the scientific understanding of all Americans. To do so, we have embarked on an effort to invest in the critical technological resources that will ensure that this spectacular new learning facility is available to the entire nation. Our scientists have been awarded federal assistance for their work, but the Museum has never before in its history come to Congress with a request for major support. We now seek federal participation in the creation of this major new science education, science literacy and educational technology initiative that will serve as an unparalleled national model. SEP-11-1996 22:35 P.06 The scientific and educational activities involved are thoroughly consistent with the missions of the federal science agencies. The Museum is committed to financing and raising from non-federal sources all but 10% of the $130 million cost. Public and private funds totaling $60 million have already been raised ($33 million from the City of New York, and $27 million through matching private sector support). We seek, therefore, no more than 10% of our total needs at the federal level. However, we believe that federal partnership and support is critical to validate and endorse the national goals and scope of the project SEP-11-1996 22:35 P.07 June 1996 AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Anne Sidamon-Eristoff, Chairman Ellen V. Futter, President Lewis W. Bernard, Vice Chairman Helene L. Kaplan, Vice Chairman Frederick A. Klingenstein, Vice Chairman Edwin H. Morgens, Vice Chairman L.F. Boker Doyle, Secretary Charles H. Mott, Treasurer Robert G. Goelet, Chairman Emeritus William T. Golden, Chairman Emeritus Ex OFFICIO ELECTIVE Robert R Barker R William Murray Rudolph W. Giuliani Lewis W. Bernard Gerard Picl Mayor of the City of New York Theodore Roosevelt IV Ruth W. Messinger Roland W. Betts Frederick P. Rost President of the Melinda Blinken Arthur Ross Borough of Manhattan Daniel Brodsky Anne Sidamon-Eristoff Alan G. Hevesi Howard L. Clark Donald K. Clifford, Jr. Peter J. Solomon Comptroller of the City of New York Constance Spahn Henry J. Stern Dorothy Cullman Alfred R Stem Commissioner, Department of L.F. Boker Dayle Carroll L. Wainwright. Jr. Parks and Recreation Nancy Fessenden Henry G. Walter, Jr. Schuyler G. Chapin Hughlyn F. Fierce Edward O. Wilson Commissioner Henry Clay Frick II Department of Cultural Affairs Richard Gilder HONORARY Rudolph F. Crew David S. Gottesman Earl G. Graves Philip F. Anschutz Chancellor, Board of Education William S. Beinecke City of New York David A. Hamburg Richard A. Jalkut August Belmont* Peter F. Vallone Henry G. Jarecki Robert E. Blum Speaker, The Council of the Samuel C. Johnson Joseph F. Cullman 3rd City of New York Harry P. Kamen Elbridge I. Gerry Helene L. Kaplan Arthur Gray, Jr. Deborah C. Kessler Caryl P. Haskins Frederick A. Klingenstein John N. Irwin II David H. Koch Plato Malozemoff James S. Rockefeller Lansing Lamont Frank Y. Larkin Jack Rudin Karca J. Lauder Frederick Scitz Oscar S. Straus II Frank G. Lyon Caroline Macomber Edwin Thome Shirley M. Malcom Norman S. Matthews * deceased William F. May Eugene R. McGrath Edward H. Meyer Irma Milstein Edwin H. Morgens Charles H. Mott SEP-11-1996 22:36 P.08 POSSIBLE CONFEREES VA/HUD 9/5/96 MEMBERS Lewis (GA) Chair Bond (MO) Chair Stokes (OH) - Ranking Minority Mikulski (MD) - Ranking Minority Mollohan (D-WV) Leahy (D-VT) Chapman (D-TX) Johnston (D-LA) Kaptur (D-OH) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Delay. (R-TX) Kenney (D-NE) Vucanovich (R-NV) Burns (R-MT Walsh (R-NY) Stevens (R-AK) Hobson (R-OH) Shelhy (R-AL) Knollenberg R (R-MI) Bennett (R-VT) Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) Campbell (R-CO) Neuman (R-WI) TOTAL P.08 09/12/1996 14:02 12127654805 ELDRIDGE PAGE 01 copyton RONNIE M. ELDRIDGE CITY HALL COUNCIL MEMBER 5TH DISTRICT, MANHATTAN NEW YORK, NY 10007 700-6975 10 COLUMBUS CIRCLE SUITE 1490 THE COUNCIL NEW YORK, NY 10019 OF 765-4339 THE CITY OF NEW YORK September 12, 1996 Mr. Harold Ickes Deputy Chief of Staff The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20502 Dear Mr Handld Tickes: The American Museum of Natural History is planning to open four major new exhibition halls by the turn of the century, and is seeking federal participation in the creation of this major new science education, science literacy and technology initiative. The Hayden Planetarium will be recreated as part of a major new complex including a 90 foot sphere housing a new Sky Theater; a Hall of the Universe, a Hall of Planet Earth and a Hall of Life's Diversity. These spectacular new exhibition spaces will address some of the most significant scientific issues of our time and revolutionize the educational impact of the Museum through the use of the new distance-learning technologies that extend its reach beyond its walls, making it a true national center for science literacy, education and technology. Because the Museum's goal is to enhance the scientific understanding of all Americans, we believe that federal partnership and support will validate and endorse the national goals and scope of the project. The Museum is committed to financing and raising from non-federal sources all but 10% of the $130 million cost. The federal funds will not be used for bricks and mortar but for national educational outreach. Public and Private funds totaling $70 million have already been raised. The House earmarked $13 million in the NASA Chapter of the VA/HUD for the American Museum of Natural History/national center for science literacy, education and technology in June. Congressman Brown from California successfully challenged the earmark on process grounds. Last Thursday, the Senate concluded action on the VA/HUD Appropriation Bill for FY 1997. The Senate bill did not specifically set aside $13 million, but struck the Brown Amendment that was agreed to "without prejudice" in the House, thereby placing it on the agenda for review in conference. We fervently hope that the final House-Senate conference 09/12/1996 14:02 12127654805 ELDRIDGE PAGE 02 agreement will further advance a federal financial and programmatic investment and participation in the American Museum of Natural History/national center. The Museum has the strong support of the entire House and Senate New York delegation and the House leadership. In addition, the project benefits from the broad support of Governor Pataki, Mayor Giuliani, Speaker Vallone and community. Borough President Messinger, all elected local officials and the We would greatly appreciate any assistance and guidance that you call. can offer in this process. If you have any questions, please Sincerely Berthmine Ronnie Eldridge