Approved-By:  RAED@VMD.CSO.UIUC.EDU
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.govdoc-l
Date:         Fri, 11 Dec 1992 11:23:13 CST
From:         Ed Herman <LOLHERMA%UBVM@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>

----------------------------Original message----------------------------


     I am providing this letter about the GPO budget
situation which might help others draft comparable letters.  It
was forwarded to the following Senators/Representatives, plus my
local Representative and the two NY State Senators.

The Honorable Vic Fazio,
Chair, House Appropriations Committee,
Subcommittee on Legislative Affairs
U.S. House of Representatives
2113 Rayburn
Washington, D.C.  20515-0504

The Honorable Harry M. Reid
Chair, Senate Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch
U.S. House of Representatives
324 Hart Senate Building
Washington, D.C.  20510-2803


Representative Charles Rose
Chairman, Joint Committee on Printing
U.S. House of Representatives
2230 Rayburn
Washington, D.C.  20515-3307


The Honorable Wendel Ford    (Ford is the incoming Chair of JCP)
Joint Committee on Printing
U.S. Senate
173A Russell Senate Building
Washington, D.C.  20510-1701
      _____________________________________________________

     The Government Printing Office Depository Library Program is
a wonderful program that effects people throughout the nation.
Every Congressional district has at least one depository library.
Depository libraries are used by many different segments of
society, such as business people who need the most recent
economic statistics, scientists who need the most recent
technical research in their respective fields, and students who
must advance their education.  The general public also depends
upon depository libraries for data about government programs and
for keeping tabs on elected officials.  A recent study estimated
that 167,749 people use depository libraries each week. (Charles
McClure and Peter Hernon, Users of Academic and Public GPO
Depository Libraries, GPO, 1989, p. 41)

     I was saddened to learn that Congress recently reduced the
Government Printing Office's fiscal year 1993 salaries and
expenses budget request by $3.5 million.  GPO needs $32.6 million
to operate the Depository Program effectively.  Congress
appropriated only $29 million.  The $32.6 million figure would
have represented only 1.4% of the total Legislative Branch
appropriation.  I urge you to support reinstatement of the
necessary funds, since few programs affect as many people as the
Depository Library Program does.

     Without the cited funds, GPO will be forced to limit
distribution of information to Depository libraries.  Eliminating
distribution of Department of Energy and NASA technical reports
to many Depositories will affect our scientists who are
attempting to help the U.S. maintain a competitive advantage over
other nations in science and technology.  Moreover, many core
reference items, such as Congressional hearings, Congressional
Calendars, Supreme Court decisions, and Serial Set volumes would
become available in microfiche only if the money is not
reinstated.  This would be a considerable disservice to many
Americans.

     Our nation has a tradition of public access to public
information.  The Depository Library Program has played a
significant role in this fine tradition since 1895.  Maintaining
this tradition in an untarnished fashion will cost only 1.4% of
the entire Legislative Branch FY 1993 appropriation.  I urge you
to increase GPO's salaries and expenses budget to $32.6 million
dollars.

     Thank you for your consideration.





Edward Herman
Univ at Buffalo


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