University of Tennessee
Frank H. McClung Museum
Knoxville, Tennessee  27917
August 18, 2005

Congressman E. Clay Shaw
Chairman
Subcommittee on Trade of the Committee on Ways and Means U.S. House of Representatives

Dear Congressman Shaw,

My name is Bobby R. Braly and I am a doctoral student at the University of Tennessee in the department of Anthropology. With the current conditions overseas, I am writing to urge your support for including H.R. 915 Cultural Conservation of the Crossroads of Civilization Act ("A bill to authorize the President to take certain actions to protect archaeological or ethnological materials of Afghanistan") in the Miscellaneous Tariffs bill. This Act grants authority to the President to impose emergency import restrictions to prevent the import into the United States of antiquities and other cultural materials that have been illegally removed from Afghan cultural institutions and other locations, particularly archaeological sites in Afghanistan. This legislation is necessary because archaeological sites are now being looted on a large scale in Afghanistan. The heritage of Afghanistan has played an important role in the world's historical and cultural development. The looting of sites destroys the historical, cultural, religious and scientific information that is derived through the careful, systematic excavation of sites. When this record is destroyed we are all the poorer forint. Mr. Congressman I spent three months last summer excavating in Jordan and would like to further emphasize the importance of antiquities from this region. Although now an economically deprived area, the Middle East was once home to some of the greatest civilizations of early history. The corresponding artifacts are inherently important and must be preserved. You are certainly aware that cultural resources are non-renewable resources as that is why this letter has been sent with great fear for loss and/or destruction to archaeological or ethnological materials of Afghanistan 

The looting of sites and theft from museums in Afghanistan have been significant problems for many years. As with Iraq, the United States has undertaken a special relationship with Afghanistan. Concern for preservation of the cultural heritage of Afghanistan must be given equal consideration. Sites are looted of antiquities so that they can be sold ultimately to markets in Western Europe and the United States. It is crucial that the President be given this authority to prevent the import into the United States of looted cultural materials and thereby reduce the incentive for theft and destruction of archaeological sites. Enactment of this legislation will help the United States to fulfill its obligations to the Afghan people and help to enrich our understanding of the world's and our own cultural heritage

Thank you,

Bobby R. Braly M.A., R.P.A.