APPEAL LETTER AND SUPPORTING JUSTIFICATION By letter, dated May 19, 1970, request is made for restoration of $4,193,000. This sum includes the following items: $2,867,000 for salaries and expenses; $1,126,000 for special international exhibitions; $200,000 for acquisition and construction of radio facilities. The appeal letter and supporting justifications and amendments requested to the House bill will be placed in the record. (The letter and justification follows:) APPEAL LETTER UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY WASHINGTON 20547 May 19, 1970 Dear Mr. Chairman: H. R. 17575 allows a total of $182,865,000 for operations of the U. S. Information Agency for fiscal year 1971. This total is $5,023,000 less than our amended request for $187,888,000. The amounts for 1970, including supplemental pay funds approved by the House, total $181,216,000. I am requesting the Senate to restore $4,193,000 of the amount cut by the House: the entire $2,867,000 cut from the Salaries and Expenses appropriation; the $200,000 cut from the $800,000 requested for Acquisition and Construction of Radio Facilities; and $1,126,000 of the $1,956,000 cut from the request for Special International Exhibitions. Our request for the Salaries and Expenses appropriation for 1971 totals $168.3 million, and represents a net increase of $667,000 over the comparable amount for 1970. The House bill reduces this request by $2,867,000, all of which I am asking the Senate to restore. Our budget provides $857,000 for increases in television programming, activities in East Europe, and additional representation allowances. These increases are almost entirely offset by reductions in our press, motion picture, and broadcasting activities, and by further reductions in West Europe. Thus, the House bill would entail still further cuts in our continuing programs and activities. The House bill allows $3,500,000 for the Special International Exhibitions program. This compares with the Agency's request of $5,456,000 (as amended by H. Doc. 91-305) and is a reduction of $1,956,000. I ask that $1,126,000 of this cut be restored, leaving $830,000 that is not being appealed. The Agency's original request included $2,346,000 for the full estimated cost of construction and operation of a new exhibit to be shown in the Soviet Union this calendar year and next. Of this total, $830,000 will not be required for obligation until fiscal year 1972, and need not be covered in the 1971 appropriation. The Honorable John L. McClellan, Chairman This exhibition program is now limited to participation in international trade fairs in East Europe and Berlin, and the circulation of large exhibits in the USSR and East Europe as called for by exchange and other special bi-lateral agreements. The program also provides for the use of Labor Missions at the East European fairs and other selected locations, and for the export promotion Trade Mission program of the Department of Commerce. All such efforts would have to be substantially reduced under the House bill. The 1971 budget request provided for the new exhibit to be shown in the Soviet Union, for continued U. S. participation in international trade fairs in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia, and Berlin, and for reshowings in Poland and Romania of an exhibit formerly used in the Soviet Union. These projects represent not only the results of long, difficult negotiations, but are unique opportunities in our efforts to broaden contacts with the peoples of East Europe. The reduction made by the House is, in my view, unwise in terms of the contribution such exhibitions offer for the advancement of U. S. interests in these important countries. I strongly urge the Senate to restore $1,126,000 of the amount cut by the House. The Voice of America is the only means of communication available to the U. S. Government without regard to national boundaries and the policies and restrictions imposed by other governments. Many elements of the VOA facilities are obsolete, becoming increasingly costly and difficult to maintain. No new funds have been appropriated for radio facilities since 1968, and we have relied on prior balances to take care of the essential maintenance and improvement needs of the system. By fiscal year 1971, however, such funds will be down to $400,000, for support of a system having a value of more than $200 million. Our budget request was for an additional $800,000, which under the House bill has been cut to $600,000. I am requesting the Senate to restore the $200,000 reduction made by the House. I will be pleased to appear before your Committee to discuss our programs, our budget estimates, and these restoration requests. Sincerely, Frank Shakespearé SUMMARY OF AGENCY ESTIMATES AND HOUSE ALLOWANCE (H.R. 17575). FISCAL YEAR 1971 Includes supplemental pay funds as passed by the House: $6,883,000 in "Salaries and Expenses"; and $183,000 in "Special International Exhibitions". b/ 1971 request as amended by H. Doc. 91-305. 1971 Budget Request The Agency's request for the Salaries and Expenses appropriation was $168,300,000. The House reduced this amount by $2,867,000 in allowing $165,433,000. The Agency asks that the entire cut be restored. The 1971 budget request was for an increase of $667,000 over the comparable appropriation for 1970. The budget was intended to fund on a continuing basis the lower levels of program and staff remaining after a series of reductions over a three-year period. Increased funds for TV programming, representation allowances, and activities in East Europe were substantially offset by reductions in press, motion picture, and broadcasting activities, and by further reductions in programs in West Europe. The budget also funded wage and cost increases, advance costs for operation of the new radio station under construction in Greece, and similar cost changes for continuing activities. Application of House Allowance The House allowance is $2,867,000 below the budget request, and would require further cuts in overseas program as well as in support and output by the media services in Washington. The allocation of the House allowance to activities, as presented in this document, is necessarily tentative. Final decisions as to the allocation of the amount actually appropriated will be determined by consultations with field posts and the Department of State, and by events and requirements which cannot now be fully fore seen. Relationship of 1970 Appropriation to 1971 House Allowance A. 1970 appropriation, including supplemental pay funds as approved by House ...... B. ... Transfer to General Services Administration C. Transfer administrative support costs in selected countries to foreign currency appropriation Adjustments to continue 1970 program in 1971: 1. Within-grade salary advancements ...... Other salary, wage, and cost changes (net) D. 2. (In thousands) 3. Net savings from position and program reductions, 1970 Net adjustments to continue 1970 program in 1971 E. Program changes budgeted for 1971: 1. Program increases (TV programming, representation 2. 1971 Estimate F. Reduction under House allowance for which restoration by the Senate is requested $167,633 -44 -911 997 4,130 -3,654 1,473 857 -708 149 168,300 -2,867 |