March Storm 2000

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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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