National Weather Service Funded in FY11 Budget –
Critical Weather Forecasts and Warnings Maintained
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April 14, 2011
Dear NWSEO Member,
I would like to thank all of our members for their support in our efforts to keep the National Weather Service fully funded for the remainder of FY11. According to the budget agreement, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be fully funded, minus earmarks. The National Weather Service should receive funding to continue critical weather forecasts and warnings and to continue its mission of protecting lives and property.
The efforts of NWSEO stewards and members had a great impact on this success. Key to keeping the NWS fully funded was informing legislators of the potentially devastating impacts the cuts in HR1 would have had on the NWS and the agency’s mission. NWSEO stewards spent many hours of their own time contacting and working with their local media to get the message out - creating a buzz in television, print and radio news across the country. Through the union, a Facebook community called “Protect the National Weather Service” was created and within 60 days it has received more than 60,000 fans. NWSEO General Counsel Richard Hirn spent weeks on Capitol Hill working with legislators and lobbyists on behalf of NWSEO to promote the importance of a fully funded NWS. The work exemplifies the power our union has because our members work together for an important cause.
The National Weather Service Employees Organization would like to thank you for your membership – it is the strength of our union. Together we made a powerful impact. We could have never accomplished this without you.
Sincerely,
Dan Sobien
NWSEO President