Dear Friends:

The state budget as currently proposed completely eliminates funding for The Maritime Aquarium, and all cultural institutions. Certainly, the Board and I recognize, as do you, that in these difficult economic times, hard choices must be made. But does it make sense to make budget cuts that will COST our State revenue and jobs?

As Connecticut's second-largest family attraction, The Maritime Aquarium is a smart investment with a solid return, generating $42 million annually in economic impact and supporting 395 jobs. For each $1 invested by your state government the Aquarium returns $61.88 in economic impact.

The proposed funding cut means a loss of 6% of our total revenue. It would be disastrous for the Aquarium. We already laid off 15% of our staff. Next, we start closing down programs or exhibits. Losing all state support now seriously compromises our long-term viability.

Please write, phone and/or e-mail the Governor and the legislative leadership (below) NOW

Tell them that The Maritime Aquarium:

* pays dividends to the State of $42 million annually in economic impact: $1 = $61.88
* supports 395 jobs
* enriches science education for 150,000 students each year
* inspires 475,000 annual visitors, 36% of whom are from out of state

Ask them to fund The Maritime Aquarium at the $675,000 needed to provide this revenue and service to the State and its citizens

The Maritime Aquarium not only generates revenue and jobs; it enriches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and opens educational opportunity for tens of thousands of children. We inspire people to preserve and protect Long Island Sound and its animals.

Below is the contact information of the people who will be making the final decisions about the State budget in the coming days. Please contact them all if you can. Thank you for joining the fight for The Maritime Aquarium's survival.

We're counting on you,

Jennifer Herring,
President and CEO
on behalf of the Board of Trustees

Hon. Donald E. Williams, Jr
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Legislative Office Building , Room 3300
Hartford , CT 06106
Tel: 860-240-8614
Email: Williams@senatedems.ct.gov
Dear Senator Williams

Hon. Martin Looney
Majority Leader
Legislative Office Buidling, Room 3300
Hartford , CT 06106
Tel: 860-240-0375
Email: Looney@senatedems.ct.gov
Dear Senator Looney

Hon. Chris Donovan
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Legislative Office Building , Room 4106
Hartford , CT 06106
Tel: 860-240-8585
Email: Christopher.Donovan@cga.ct.gov
Dear Representative Donovon

Hon. Denise Merrill
Majority Leader
Legislative Office Building , Room 4100
Hartford , CT 06106
Tel: 860-240-8500
Email: Denise.Merrill@cga.ct.gov
Dear Representative Merrill

Hon. John McKinney
Minority Leader
Legislative Office Building , Room 3400
Hartford , CT 06106
Tel: 860-240-8805
Email: John.McKinney@cga.ct.gov
Dear Senator McKinney

Hon. Larry Cafero
Minority Leader
Legislative Office Building , Room 4200
Hartford , CT 06106
Tel: 860-240-8700
Email: Lawrence.Cafero@housegop.state.ct.us
Dear Representative Caferro

Hon. Toni Harp
Appropriations Chair
Legislative Office Building, Room 2701
Hartford , CT 06106
Tel: 860-240-0393
Email: Harp@senatedems.ct.gov
Dear Senator Harp

Hon. John Geragosian
Appropriations Chair
Legislative Office Building , Room 4036
Hartford, CT 06106
Tel: 860-240-8500
Email: john.geragosian@cga.ct.gov
Dear Representative Geragosian

Hon. Governor M. Jodi Rell
State Capital, Room 202
Hartford, CT 06106
Email: Governor.Rell@ct.gov
Dear Governor Rell