New England Aquarium urges Congress to support $6 billion in emergency relief funding for U.S. aquariums, zoos, and museums - New England Aquarium
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New England Aquarium urges Congress to support $6 billion in emergency relief funding for U.S. aquariums, zoos, and museums

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Aquarium joins together with Boston cultural institutions on letter to Congressional delegation, asks supporters to sign petition

Child looking at an aquarium exhibit tank
PHOTO CREDIT: Caitlin Cunningham/New England Aquarium
BOSTON, MASS. (April 14, 2020) – The New England Aquarium and several other Boston cultural institutions came together this week to urge Congress to support emergency relief funding for aquariums, zoos, and museums amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

In a joint letter to the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, leaders from the Aquarium, Boston Children’s Museum, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston pointed out critical needs in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act when it comes to providing help for non-profit organizations. They are requesting additional provisions including an increase of at least $6 billion to provide direct economic relief for non-profit museums, aquariums, and zoos to survive the public health crisis.

“For many of us, even though we are closed to the public, our operational costs remain extremely high to ensure the health and welfare of the animals in our collections that depend on us for their survival and well-being,” wrote New England Aquarium President & CEO Vikki Spruill and fellow leaders in the letter.

As the New England Aquarium continues to prioritize the health and well-being of the 20,000 animals in its care—and the people who look after them—it is asking for supporters to sign a petition urging Congress to take action. That petition can be found here.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pam Bechtold Snyder
617-686-5068
psnyder@neaq.org

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