hm - Aug13 - cover.indd - National Hardwood Lumber Association

LEGISLATIVE
LOG
PUTTING FACES ON OUR ISSUES
By Dana Lee Cole, Executive Director – Hardwood Federation
“Out of sight, out of mind,” the saying goes. While you can fit the
sentiment into many contexts, when you’re talking about politics, it
is a frightening proposition. Frightening, but fairly accurate. Today
lawmakers are facing so many issues, with such nuanced policy
questions, that staying top of mind with them is as difficult as it is
vital for groups like ours. It’s why not a week goes by that we aren’t in
contact with Members of Congress, but it’s also why the annual Fall
Fly-in is so important.
The Fly-in is the opportunity for us to put real faces – constituent
faces – to the many challenging issues our industry grapples with
every day – from environmental regulations and green building
standards to immigration and tax reform and more. Members
of Congress and their staff do like hearing from the Hardwood
Federation – we provide them with reliable, accurate, and timely
information on a host of issues – but when a constituent stops what
he or she is doing, puts a job and family on hold to come all the way
to Washington to have their voice heard, that speaks volumes about
the importance of that issue to that constituent. And it’s hard to
replicate that with paid advocates.
Members of Congress tell us time and gain how impressive it is that
the Federation has such active and passionate members; and they tell
us time spent with these involved constituents is extremely valuable
and they view it as extremely helpful and informative.
“Reading about these issues is one thing,” said one Congressional
staffer. “Hearing right from a constituent about how [a particular
piece of] legislation is going to help or hurt his business is
memorable and worthwhile.”
Members of Congress and their staff are very candid with Fly-in
participants and spend time explaining the issues from their point
of view. It’s a learning experience all around!
As in years past, the Fly-in will connect industry leaders with key
lawmakers in Congress, Congressional staff thought leaders, and
important policymakers from the current Administration. Last year
we facilitated more than 50 meetings that helped us secure many
policy wins, from defense of the Lacey Act to important Farm Bill
components, and many more. Participants make solid connections
with staff members that can lead to formal or informal advisory
positions and even invitations to testify before powerful Committees
on behalf of our industry.
And that’s one of the most important aspects of the Fly-in.
Participants are here speaking for their businesses and sharing their
experiences – but more importantly – they are speaking for the entire
industry. It takes a special, selfless and dedicated person to make that
kind of commitment and sacrifice. We know it’s worthwhile – we
wouldn’t ask you to do it if it wasn’t. So please, clear your calendar
for October 30-31 and come put your face to our issues during
another exciting, informative, and essential fall Fly-in.
You may register for the Fly-In and review the agenda at
www.hardwoodfederation.com.
We look forward to seeing you in Washington!
Executive Director Dana Cole can be contacted at
dana.cole@hardwoodfederation.com
or 202-463-2705.
I also think there’s a lot of value for the HF participants as well.
Often you hear about something Congress is doing or considering
and you think to yourself, “Why on Earth are they doing that” The
meetings surrounding the Fly-in are the perfect time to find out.
12 AUGUST 2013 HARDWOOD MATTERS WWW.NHLA.COM