Minds Can Be Changed

[cardell75]

Hey,
I just wanted to share my experience in this so far.

I have been working my tail off to setup meetings, and everytime I think I have things straight I get a call or an email and the schedule changes. It is fustrating to no end, but, there seems to be light at the end.

I was contacted by my Congressmans staff about H.R. 2811 / S. 373 last Friday. The Legislative staff had spoken with me on a few occasions but this time it was different. We set up a teleconference (I didnt want to do it on my cell phone) and went until about 7pm Friday night. I used many of the speaking points and references from PIJAC, USARK and NATPET. They were very receptive and open to hearing, not only how this would affect me as a constituent, but how it would affect the entire industry. In short, When I finished talking with them I was told that this didnt sound like a bill that Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL) District-1 would support. I was also asked to send over a summary of my main speaking points and my buisness statistics (Which is easy as I have already compiled most for tax reasons) so they could present all the facts to the Congressman.

I also have a meeting tomorrow with the regional director and staff for Senator George Lemieux (R-FL) at his Jacksonville office, they as well seem interested in my/our point of view and I have some speaking points ready for them as well as a summary printed out to give them.

Look it really isnt all that hard to get in front of these people, it can sometimes be challenging to get it scheduled, but, they will talk with you and they will listen! Just be patient and keep trying.

One more point, This bill is very small to them, most of the staff that I have spoken with really dont know that much about any of it and they are LOOKING FOR INPUT. Because it is so small they aren't going to do alot of leg work on it. The question I have for you is WHO'S input do YOU want them to get, Ours or HSUS's?

[BHB]

This is great news and seems to be what I keep hearing as well. They reeally don't seem to know much about it and who it will effect. If we can get out and spread the word to our reps, they seem to be pretty receptive to out input. Whenever I talk to anyone they kind of seemed shocked as if they had no clue that the ban would effect an entire community of people, they just think, sure why would we not ban big snakes?? Once they hear the truth they seem to be more interested and even supportive! Keep up the great work, I hope others will follow in your foot steps! Thanks, Brian(BHB)

[cardell75]

Just finished up my meeting with Senator Lemieux's staff. Once again they had no idea about this bill and furthermore what it would entail! No one has talked to them about these issues yet so they haven't formed an opinion one way or the other.

The real point here is that now at least 1 Congressman and 1 Senator have had their first impression about this bill from our side and our perspective!

First impressions are the lasting ones! Get out and go see them!

Now I have to go write up an additional summary and add links to articles about the bills and email that to the staff so they can put the info together for the Senator. I might add that all the articles that I link up will be bias to our side, and that is what they will use to brief the Senator with, think about how profound an effect just one person can have. Be that person!

[Jenn]

Minds can be changed. That's the good news!

The bad news is that when Congressmen and Senators change their minds it's usually because someone gave them lots of money to do so.

I'm just curious if USARK supports any politicians?