ARL Advocates for Humanities, Library Funding on Capitol Hill

Last Updated on March 14, 2025, 8:11 am ET

Hundreds of advocates from across the US met with members of Congress on the National Humanities Alliance (NHA) annual Humanities Advocacy Day, March 11. We championed robust funding in the FY 2026 appropriations process for critical cultural institutions and programs: the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and its grant-making arm, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), as well as international education initiatives, including Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs.

“I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss this meeting.” — Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL), pictured here with Deidra Suwanee Dees (left) and Carolyn M. White (right)

I was honored to join Deidra Suwanee Dees, Carolyn M. White, and Jessica Goethals in meetings with the Alabama congressional delegation. The group made the case that strong funding is needed for the State of Alabama to provide access to history and local stories. We highlighted local projects like the Chronicling America newspaper project, funded by NEH, which digitized 22 newspapers from the State of Alabama and made them available to the public through the Library of Congress.

Left to right: Jessica Goethals, Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), and Katherine Klosek

Elisabeth Long, Sheridan Dean of University Libraries, Archives, and Museums and director of Federal Strategy at Johns Hopkins University had productive and engaging meetings with the staff of members Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-MD).

“We’re grateful for the support of our members for the humanities and the wonderful work our libraries do in support of our students, our research enterprise, and in our local community.” — Dean Elisabeth Long, Sheridan Dean of University Libraries, Archives, and Museums

ARL Executive Director Andrew Pace joined a group of faculty members from Ohio colleges and universities. Their visits started with Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH), co-chair of the House Humanities Caucus and a staunch supporter of the humanities, art, and music. Rep. Carey also received the NHA’s Yates Award for outstanding support of the humanities.

Left to right: Jason Moore (Cuyahoga Community College), Katie Trostel (Ursuline College), Paul Sukys (North Central State College), Valentino Zullo (Ursuline College)Left to right: Jonathan Kregor (University of Cincinnati), Stephanie Sadre-Orafai (University of Cincinnati), Rep. Landsman’s Legislative Assistant Bradley Tauber, Jay Twomey (University of Cincinnati), and Jordan Tate (University of Cincinnati)

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