By Jude O. Marfil
For Variety

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The NMI Humanities Council has joined other states in lobbying the U.S. Congress for $30 million in additional funds.
Paz C. Younis, the NMI Humanities Council’s executive director, said the “Humanities on the Hill” lobby effort also aims to raise awareness about the works of the nation’s humanities councils.
“This effort is important because the humanities council transforms lives, communities and enriches the nation,” she said in an interview here. “The humanities programs in our community play a critical role in strengthening our democracy and in our fight against terrorism.”
Besides meeting with Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio, Younis also met with Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo “to see if we could have more regional collaboration.”
Under the 2007 fiscal year budget, the National Endowment for the Humanities received $177 million in funding. However, not all of this money is given to the councils in various states.
The NMI Humanities Council has an annual budget of about $500,000.
“We need more money to create programs to inform citizens about the history of their communities and nation. We’re going to build bridges between diverse ethnic and economic groups,” Younis said.
She added that in the CNMI, “we want to increase resources for education. We have a teacher institute to certify teachers in terms of CNMI history.”
Since it was her first time to participate in the lobbying efforts, Younis partnered with delegates from New Hampshire.
“I wanted to join other groups so I could learn the ropes and maybe next year get some more board member here,” she said.