Masonry Magazine August 2005 Page. 18
Legislative Conference
Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business
Congressman Don Manzullo (RIL), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business
PARTICIPANTS' REACTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE
Congressman Don Manzullo met briefly with participants in his office. While he discussed ending the death tax to protect mason contractors and other small business owners, he focused more on asking questions of those in the room.
Manzullo gathered various bits of information on our industry, getting to know the work that mason contractors complete on a daily basis, and understanding what matters to the industry.
For any MCAA members that were unable to attend the Legislative Conference of 2005 - especially my fellow California members - take a moment and think about what it would take to motivate you to visit your elected officials.
Prior to this Conference, I did not have much faith in any elected official paying much attention to my letters, and I still feel the same. However, I'm now convinced that a personal visit to an elected official's office is a very powerful statement - more than I ever realized. To my delight, I found them listening, asking questions, making an effort to understand our position, and then telling me how appreciative they were of the visit.
My message for all members is make an appointment with your elected officials, prepare your thoughts to be presented in a concise manner - officials want to hear you but they have limited time - and be prepared to answer any questions they may have.
It's hard to know for sure if your visit will make a difference when your elected officials cast their votes, but at least you'll have the gratification knowing you were heard and appreciated for your efforts; let that be your motivation. How they vote depends on how well you, and others, sell the pitch.
Ron Bennett, E&S Masonry
Member, MCAA and the California Conference of Mason Contractors Association
Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX)
Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) (center) was given an MCAA Foundation of Freedom Award by MCAA President G. Alan Griffin and Marshall.
"It is time for the United States government to go on a diet," Congressman Pete Sessions said before Monday night's audience. He added that the U.S. House of Representatives will finish all spending bills before their break, with everything except for Homeland Security and the Department of Defense coming in under budget.
He discussed his pro-business philosophies and how business owners like mason contractors need to pass on the ideas of free enterprise, including a hard day's work and earning your way in the world. "You're the kind of men and women that America is all about."
He also stressed that members needed to go further. "It is imperative that you and trade associations like yours send a message," he said. "You need to let [representatives] know about the problems in your industry. If you fail to meet your member of Congress, you are letting someone else dictate what matters."
"It is time for the United States government to go on a diet"
Congressman Pete Sessions
"Being a part of an association lends itself to making a bigger impression with our representatives in government. We can have a larger voice and show our industry as a well-informed group that is paying close attention to what is or is not being done. [Appearing as a large group in-person gives us] a much better chance of effecting changes and adoption of legislation. This helps our industry on many fronts."
Joyce Gregg
Executive Director, Masonry Institute
"I think it was a very good conference, it was informative, and we had a lot of good feedback, especially from the representatives who spoke. They all had good things to say about our associations."
Frank Campitelli
Baltimore Masonry, Inc.
MCAA Vice President