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This is a message from ProSpace, a non-profit organization
dedicated to opening the space frontier for ALL Americans

See the bottom of this message for un/subscribe directions
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My fellow space activists,

As most of you know, ProSpace each year conducts an event we
call March Storm.  For the past eight years, March Storm has
given citizens from across the country the chance to speak
directly to their government on an issue they care deeply
about -- opening the Space Frontier for all Americans!

Last year, 55 private citizens joined together on Capitol Hill
as we briefed over 200 members of the House and Senate, as
well as representatives from both NASA and the White House on
our Citizens Space Agenda.

This is an issue that elected representatives seldom hear
about, which makes your participation all the more important.
This is not an aerospace industry agenda or a NASA agenda but
rather an American agenda, and we the people are the only ones
who can convey it.  And because of the significance of this
years election activities, we have an opportunity to really
influence the future of space policy.

But we need your help to accomplish our goals!!!

This year, March Storm will be held in Washington, D.C. during
the week of March 12-17, 2000. On behalf of ProSpace America,
I would like to urge you to take the time now to sign up for
this event, which may be the most important March Storm ever
-- and the most fun!

"You people are better than professional lobbyists. You tell
me the truth!" -- Congressional staffer, March Storm 1999

Why March Storm 2000 is Important

The March Storm 2000 agenda is still being written, but one
thing is clear -- it will focus strongly on opening the Space
Frontier through Cheap Access to Space (CATS). CATS is the
single most important enabling technology for all of the
things we might want to do in space -- tourism, solar power,
the Moon, Mars, you name it. The good news is that several
companies are working on this problem right now. Hundreds of
millions of dollars have been invested and given continued
funding, it's only a matter of time before we see results. The
bad news is, recent market conditions related to the failures
of LEO communications satellites such as Iridium have put the
brakes on that funding. Some government actions have been less
than helpful as well. In the words of Charles Dickens, "It is
the best of times, it is the worst of times...."

There are a number of things the government can do to help the
situation, by creating a more favorable climate for investment
in new launch systems. (There are also some types of "help" we
would rather not see.) The government incentives under
consideration include tax credits, launch purchases, and
favorable regulatory policies, aimed at unlocking private
investment in new launch systems.

We will continue to push for the privatization of the
International Space Station. America does not need an
expensive government office building in Earth orbit. It needs
an industrial park, which can be the beginning of an
extraterrestrial community and our beachhead in space.

These are just a few of the issues we are currently
considering for March Storm. There are many others currently
under consideration, such as Zero-G, Zero-Tax (a tax holiday
for new products and services created in space) and commercial
resupply of the International Space Station.

Why March Storm 2000 will be fun

We are working on a number of special events to make this
March Storm the most memorable ever. One of these is a special
White House event that will be open to all March Storm
participants. No promises -- nothing official yet -- but we're
working on it.

What to do now

Register! (I bet you could see that coming, couldn't you?) An

online registration page is available:
              http://www.prospace.org/mstorm/
Or use the handy email registration form below and return it
to Ed Wright, March Storm Director, at edwright@prospace.org

In either case, complete information will be returned to you
as soon as we receive your request.  And feel free to contact
us with any questions you might have.

See you in Washington on March 12th!!!

Sincerely,
Ransom Wuller
President,
ProSpace: The Citizens' Space Lobby

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PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS for March Storm 2000

To participate in March Storm, you must:
1) Have fun! (It's mandatory.)
2) Participate in the "Training & Orientation" on Sunday,
   March 12, starting at 8:30 a.m.
3) Spend at least one full day on Capitol Hill during week of
   March 13-17. You will do up to seven briefings per day, in
   teams of 2-4 people.
4) Be 18 years of age or older. Minors under the age of 18
   must be accompanied by a parent or an adult with legal
   responsibility for the conduct and safety of the minor.
   ProSpace will not assume responsibility for the conduct and
   safety of minors.
5) Participate as a *citizen* of the United States, and not on
   behalf of any corporation, special interest, the armed forces,
   NASA, or as a citizen of another country.
6) Be clean, well-groomed, well-dressed, and presentable:
   For Men: dress shoes, dress slacks, long-sleeve shirt and a
   tie are required. A matching jacket is preferred.
   For Women: dress shoes, dress skirt or slacks, and business
   blouse. Jacket optional. Dresses are fine if they are
   office wear.
   Uniforms are inappropriate, as you will be representing
   yourself as a private citizen, not the US military or any
   other organization.
7) Conduct themselves in a respectful manner, and be
   supportive of others on the March Storm team.
8) Study the policy materials you will receive before coming
   to Washington, D.C.
9) Support the general issues we are presenting to Congress.
   The Primary Goal: To open the Space Frontier for ALL people
   as soon as possible.
10) Personal agendas (if any) must not conflict with the
    overall goals of ProSpace or the March Storm. If you have
    a personal agenda on Capitol Hill, full disclosure is the
    best policy.

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REGISTRATION FORM for March Storm 2000

Mark ("X") or fill-in the blanks and email to
edwright@prospace.org.

1) Full Name:
   Mailing Address:
   Home Phone:
   Work Phone:
   Email Address:
   Member of Congress:

2) I am a U.S. Citizen: Yes ( ), No ( ).

3) As of March 13, 2000, I am 18 years old, or older: Yes ( ),
   No ( ).

4) I have read the Registration Requirements (next page) and
   agree to them: Yes ( ), No ( ).

5) I will participate in:
   Sunday (March 12) Training & Orientation (REQUIRED):
   8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.., Registration opens at 8 a.m.
   Required for all participants.
   Yes ( ), No ( ).

   Congressional briefings on... (mark with an "X").  At least
   one full day is Required.
   Mon (3/13):
   Tue (3/14):
   Wed (3/15):
   Thu (3/16):
   Fri (3/17):

6) Recruited by (optional):



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