History Matters: Tell Ohio General Assembly You Believe That

[File this under JUMP: Just my opinion.]

The Ohio Historical Society is a fantastic organization from which I've learned a lot throughout my life. From it, I've gained an appreciation of the political, social, ancient, and geologic history of my home state. That's important, because without an appreciation for the journey taken by preceding generations, you can't possibly participate responsibly in life today.

History then, is the most important subject taught in our public schools. This is especially true in times of economic crises, when people are more susceptible to the rhetoric of demagogues who twist history, convincing people of quick fixes that trample on people's rights and on the heritage of mutual responsibility built into our life in the US and in Ohio. The Ohio Historical Society plays a critical role in helping teachers and students in the knowledge and mastery of history. The society knows well the truth of what President Kennedy wrote shortly before he died:

A knowledge of the past prepares us for the crisis of the present and the challenge of the future.

Below is a release from the Ohio Historical Society about major funding cuts being considered bou our state's legislative body, the Ohio General Assembly. The society receives state funding and also membership dues and contributions from caring Ohio citizens:

On Wednesday, June 3, 2009 Ohio Senate passed its version of the state budget bill. In a 20-11 vote along party lines, the Senate approved a $53.6 billion budget, which includes cuts to the Ohio Historical Society's Outreach Services-slashed from $703,638 to $0. The Senate also removed $750,000 in funding for historical sites. Now the budget goes to a House-Senate conference committee where the legislature and Strickland Administration try to work out the differences by June 30.

The reductions would reduce the Society's budget to its lowest funding level since 1994. The budget cuts eliminated funding from the Society's Outreach area that directly serves teachers, students, local history organizations and Ohio communities. The current budget proposal would cut important funding for historic sites and eliminate:

• Teacher training and educational programs that leverage federal funding. These educational programs not only enrich student experiences, but also help students to prepare for the Ohio Achievement Test
• National History Day in Ohio (national program that originated in Ohio)
• The Local History Office that serves 800 local history organizations
• Coordination of the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011-2015) initiative
• Local historical markers program

What's next? Differences between the bills will need to be reconciled by the conference committee in the coming weeks. Please use the resources below to tell your state legislators how critical the Society's Outreach and partnerships are to Ohio students, teachers and local communities. Contact your state legislator and Governor Strickland now and tell them to restore $1.45 million to the Society 's FY10 budget.

Go to this web site to find out what you can do to make your voice heard. History really does matter. Please let the General Assembly know that this is how you feel.