Date: Tue, 16 May 1995 07:26:19 -0900 (PDT)
From: Steven Yantis <yantis@jhu.edu>
Subject: Threat to behavioral science research funding
Colleagues:
Many of you are probabaly aware of this situation, but it is important
enough that I wanted to notify you in case any of you aren't.
Please pass the word on to your distribution lists as well. Much of the
information contained herein was taken from an alert sent out by the
Federation of Behavioral, Psychological, and Cognitive Sciences.
Last week the House Budget Committee recommended the complete
elimination of behavioral science research funding by the National
Science Foundation. Robert Walker (R-PA) was quoted in the Washington
Post as saying that the NSF should stop funding behavioral science
research (including psychology and cognitive science), an area that it
"wandered into" because it was "politically correct."
It is essential that we express our opposition to this recommendation.
If we do not lobby on behalf of our profession, these cuts are likely to
take effect. Congress always takes the path of least resistance, so we
must offer some resistance so they will not take this path.
I urge you to send letters to your Senators and your
Congressman, and to send copies to Robert Walker, George Brown (ranking
minority member of the Science Committee and likely ally of behavioral
science), Jerry Lewis (Chiar of the House Appropriations Subcommittee
that appropriates money for NSF). Also send a copy of your communication
to the Federation of Behavioral, Psychological, and Cognitive Sciences so
they can keep track of the response from the scientific community. Their
email is federation@apa.org. Letters to congress can be addressed to
NAME, U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20515
(house) or 20510 (Senate).
Votes on the relevant measures are going to take place within the next
week, so any communication, if it is to have an effect, must be sent
immediately.
Steve Yantis