See also Salazars introduce Dominguez-Escalante NCA!

   Getting up Monday morning at 4:15 A.M. to catch an early train from
Philadelphia to D.C., I wasn’t so sure this whole lobbying trip was such a
great idea.  But upon arriving at the Campaign for America’s Wilderness
office on Capitol Hill, I was quickly impressed by the organization and
professionalism that had been invested in planning our trip. 

    We spent two and one-half days walking the halls and tunnels (and in
blessed moments, the outside pathways) that form the labyrinth where our
Senators and Representatives have their dominion.  By the second day, I had
determined that yellow was the most inviting color for a Congressperson’s
reception area; I had also fallen in love with the very large cut-out cow
that resides in the office of one of the senators from Vermont.  And I had
been almost universally impressed with the openness, knowledgeability, and
even patience of the many Hill Staffers with whom we met.

    It was surprisingly easy to develop (and when appropriate, to modify)
our spiel.  It was an honor and pleasure to work with Monica and Tony, and
later with Bill, all of them are WCC Board members.  It was enlightening to
listen to, and take guidance from, Steve Smith from The Wilderness Society
and Marcia Argust from the Campaign for America’s Wilderness.  They taught
us how the pros engage with our representatives; and they educated us on
specifics of the Dominguez-Escalante legislation.  And it was truly a marvel
to see Andy in a pin-striped suit exercising phenomenal self-control while
we “citizen lobbyists” led the charge.

    Outside of our “work” day, Steve and Marcia treated us to a couple of
wonderful meals.  On a personal note, I had an opportunity on our last
evening to meet up with 9 co-workers from my Ralph Nader days. With one
exception, I hadn’t seen any of them in 37 years.  It was exciting to learn
that they are all still engaged in doing important, non-profit work.  In
fact, it was somewhat disconcerting to be the only retiree, sandwiching in
my labors of love on behalf of WCC and other organizations between hikes and
travels and pottery-making!

    So it is with much appreciation that I thank WCC and the sponsors of
this trip for giving me an opportunity to champion a cause in which I
believe so passionately. In the process, they afforded me the chance to go
back to D.C. and to learn more about the legislative experience and the
people who care enough to do good things in this world.  I hope our efforts
continue to bear fruit.