To:
Members & Affiliates
From:
National Office
Date:
April 15, 1999
Subject:
Capitol Hill Reception & Visits
Reference:
LA 99-6
Action Please Now:
Capitol Hill Reception Invites
Set Up Hill VisitsAMSA's 1999 National Environmental Policy Forum & 29th Annual Meeting, May 22-26 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 25.
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. Policy makers on Capitol Hill and at EPA are focusing on clean water issues such as: wastewater infrastructure funding, nonpoint source pollution control, as well as the future of municipal wet weather control efforts. This is a crucial time with many of AMSA's priority issues receiving heightened attention. 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.It is essential that AMSA members engage Members of Congress and their staff to focus attention on clean water priorities now. The afternoon of Tuesday, May 25 has been set aside for AMSA members to schedule Capitol Hill and EPA visits. Please make appointments now to meet with your representative or their staff.
AMSA Members Urged to Invite Legislators to Capitol Hill Reception
AMSA will be hosting a Capitol Hill Reception in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday May 25, 1999 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Included with this Legislative Alert are three reception invitations for you to personalize and mail to members of your congressional delegation.Please use the correspondence sheet included with each invitation to send a personal 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. This is a great opportunity to informally meet with legislators.
Please send your invitations without delay. AMSA members requiring additional invitations should contact Aleya Akhran at 202/833-AMSA or aakhran@amsa-cleanwater.org. RSVPs are requested by May 14, 1999.
Association Initiatives Geared to Support Member Outreach to EPA and Hill
Much is being done this year to facilitate and support member agency meetings on Capitol Hill and at EPA. In addition to AMSA's monthly 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” and sample letter 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.
The Policy Forum, will have an excellent opportunity to learn the latest developments regarding both national policy and AMSA priorities during a Regulatory and Legislative Strategy Briefing on Sunday, May 23 from 2:45 - 4:15 pm. This new Policy Forum will be moderated by AMSA President, Michele Plá and facilitated by AMSA's committee leaders.
Also in preparation for congressional visits, a Legislative Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, May 25 from 7:30 - 9:00 am. The Breakfast will feature congressional committee staff discussing the outlook and possible action on key environmental issues important to AMSA members. In addition, one of AMSA's new web-based initiatives - Congressional Connection will be demonstrated. This online tool enables AMSA members to have a central place to access information and contact their congressional members and delegations.
Thank you for your prompt attention to these matters. We look forward to seeing you in May!
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