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Member Pipeline - Legislative - Alert (LA 01-04)

To: Members & Affiliates
From: National Office
Date: April 26, 2001
Subject: CAPITOL HILL RECEPTION & VISITS
Reference: LA01-04

Note:
A Hard Copy of this Legislative Alert has been sent to all AMSA members along with the invitations to AMSA's Capitol Hill reception!


Action Now Please:
Capitol Hill Reception Invites Set Up Hill Visits

AMSA's 2001 National Environmental Policy Forum & Annual Meeting, The New Political Landscape. . . Moving the POTW Agenda Forward, to be held May 19-23 at the Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, DC, will provide AMSA members with the perfect opportunity to participate in our nation's legislative and regulatory processes. By bringing your expertise and concerns directly to the individuals that represent you in Congress, you have the unique ability to influence national policy making. This Legislative Alert has been developed to assist members in preparing for meetings with your congressional delegation and also in forwarding invitations to AMSA's Capitol Hill Reception on Tuesday, May 22.

 
AMSA Presence on Capitol Hill Essential
This year's National Environmental Policy Forum is the perfect time to bring clean water priorities to the attention of national leaders. Some of the most critical issues facing publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) -- water infrastructure funding and wet weather programs -- are already priority topics in Congress and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). AMSA's 2001 National Environmental Policy Forum & Annual Meeting will address these and other pressing issues that affect all POTWs regardless of size or geographic location. AMSA's collective presence in Washington, DC will make an indelible mark on our nation's policy makers and will ensure that our message is heard. The afternoon of Tuesday, May 22 has been set aside for AMSA members to visit their representatives and key offices at EPA national headquarters. Please make appointments now to meet with your representative or their staff. AMSA's National Office will be contacting you to offer our assistance in setting up these appointments.

 
AMSA Members Urged to Invite Legislators to Capitol Hill Reception
AMSA will be hosting the Capitol Hill Reception in the Gold Room, 2169 Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday May 22, 2001 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Included with this Legislative Alert are three reception invitations for you to mail to members of your Congressional delegation. Please personalize your invitation with a note to members of your delegation inviting them to our reception. When extending your invitation, you may wish to emphasize that you will be in town for AMSA's Policy Forum and will be contacting members of their staff to arrange a meeting. The reception, however, is an excellent opportunity to informally meet with legislators.

Please send your invitations without delay. AMSA members requiring additional invitations should call Robin Davis at AMSA 202/833-3280. RSVPs are requested by May 11, 2001.

 
Water Infrastructure Network Rally to Precede AMSA Reception
Preceding the AMSA Reception, Forum attendees are invited to join members of the House of Representatives' Water Infrastructure Caucus from 5:15 - 6:00 pm in 2167 Rayburn to rally for 'Water Infrastructure NOW'. The WINow Rally will focus congressional attention on the crucial need for water infrastructure funding across the nation. Water infrastructure is one of AMSA's crucial issues for this Congress and the new Administration.


Association Initiatives Geared to Support Member Outreach to Hill and EPA
Much is being done this year to facilitate and support your meetings on Capitol Hill and at EPA. In addition to AMSA's May Regulatory and Legislative Updates, a Member Update in early May will provide detailed information on the Policy Forum agenda, Annual Meeting business and Association positions and priorities. Additional material on key legislative and regulatory issues will also be included in registration materials at the Policy Forum itself.

Included with this Alert is a "Tip Sheet" developed to assist you in contacting your Member of Congress. For congressional addresses, phone and fax numbers, please refer to the Congressional Connection icon on AMSA's Website in the Member Pipeline section. If you need additional information, please contact Robin Davis at 202/833-3280 or rdavis@amsa-cleanwater.org at the AMSA National Office.

To prepare for your congressional and regulatory visits we will be holding two very important information sessions. The first, the AMSA Priority Issues Briefing will take place on Sunday, May 20 from 3:15 - 4:45 pm. The Briefing will update you on the latest developments regarding AMSA's priorities. The second session, the Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, May 22 from 7:30 - 8:45 am, will feature congressional committee staff discussing the outlook and possible action on key environmental issues important to AMSA members.

Thank you for your prompt attention to these matters. We look forward to seeing you in May!

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