US Federal Funds Earmarked For Creation 'Science' Education

Sen. David Vitter, R-La, has earmarked $100,000 in federal money to go to a religious group, the Louisiana Family Forum, "to develop a plan to promote better science education." This is the same group that successfully lobbied the Ouachita (La) School Board to adopt an anti-evolution education policy.

According to the Times-Picayune: "The group's stated mission is to 'persuasively present biblical principles in the centers of influence on issues affecting the family through research, communication and networking.' Until recently, its Web site contained a 'battle plan to combat evolution,' which called the theory a 'dangerous' concept that 'has no place in the classroom.' The document was removed after a reporter's inquiry."

It looks like the Louisiana Family Forum knows that getting tax-payer money to promote religion in public schools and corrupt science education is unconstitutional and illegal. They are trying to cover their tracks.

The earmark is on page 238 of the report of the "Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, 2008" [link: http://tinyurl.com/yp24ff].

The bill hasn't been acted on yet, and there is time to remove the earmark. Please contact your senators asking them to remove the earmark and/or redirect the money to an organization in Louisiana that could actually improve science education in the state.

Links to more information:
http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/09/vitter_earmarked_federal_money.html
http://austringer.net/wp/index.php/2007/09/23/pork-barrel-antievolution/
http://pandasthumb.org/archives/2007/09/porkbarrel-anti.html
http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2007/09/vitter_gives_federal_money_to.php

Here is a letter that you can send to your senator (each senator has a webform to submit comments and letters; just google the senator for their website):

Dear Senator XXXX,

I have recently learned that US Federal Funds are being earmarked in a bill For Creation 'Science' Education. Sen. David Vitter, R-La, has earmarked $100,000 in federal money to go to a religious group, the Louisiana Family Forum, "to develop a plan to promote better science education." This is the same group that successfully lobbied the Ouachita (La) School Board to adopt an anti-evolution education policy.

According to the Times-Picayune: "The group's stated mission is to 'persuasively present biblical principles in the centers of influence on issues affecting the family through research, communication and networking.' Until recently, its Web site contained a 'battle plan to
combat evolution,' which called the theory a 'dangerous' concept that 'has no place in the classroom.' The document was removed after a
reporter's inquiry."

I am concerned that tax-payer money may be used to promote religion in public schools and corrupt science education.

The earmark is on page 238 of the report of the "Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriation Bill, 2008" [link: http://tinyurl.com/yp24ff].

The bill hasn't been acted on yet, and there is time to remove the earmark. Please help to remove the earmark and/or redirect the money to an organization in Louisiana that could
actually improve science education in the state.

Sincerely,
XXXX