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 Previous: Ernesto Could Make Landfall as Hurricane; Carolinas, Virginia Get Ready |  Next: Amateur Radio Awareness Day is September 16 |
By David Sumner, K1ZZ
ARRL Chief Executive Officer
September 1, 2006
It's easy to be cynical about Capitol Hill. Stories abound of the public interest being subverted for private gain by well-heeled, well-connected lobbyists who, it seems, will espouse any cause for the right compensation. But lobbying has more than just a dark side. It is neither illegal nor immoral to lobby Congress as long as you play by the rules. Jack Abramoff and others of his ilk notwithstanding, most lobbyists do not wear black hats.
Historically, lobbyists have done a lot of good. Typically they know a lot more about the complex subjects that Congress must address than do the Senators and Representatives themselves. The latter must know something about everything; therefore, they cannot know everything about anything. Most Capitol Hill staffers are very smart and work extremely hard, but they are juggling many demands on their time and attention. They and their bosses can call on the Congressional Research Service, Congressional Budget Office and Government Accountability Office for information, but to understand how an issue affects a particular segment of the business community or the public -- and sometimes even to craft language -- they may turn to lobbyists they know and trust.
If "trustworthy lobbyist" strikes you as oxymoron, it shouldn't. Most lobbyists are honest advocates for their clients or constituencies. If they're in it for the long haul and not for the quick buck, they understand that credibility is their most valuable asset. Lobbyists are not expected to be unbiased, but one who isn't prepared to answer honestly when asked, "What's the other side going to tell me on this issue?" should stay home. Lobbyists who disguise their clients and their motives are well advised to seek another line of work. Washington may be a big city, but the Hill works more like a small town; eventually, everyone there knows your business.
The ARRL is definitely in it for the long haul. We have been lobbying Congress on behalf of Amateur Radio since Woodrow Wilson was in the White House. While this has not always involved supporting or opposing specific legislation, in the current (109th) Congress we have been promoting the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act (HR 691 and S 1236), the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act (HR 3876) and a "sense of the House" resolution (House Resolution 230) seeking better FCC studies of BPL interference potential. When the opportunity arose, we successfully supported the addition of a "BPL interference study" provision to what became HR 5252, a major telecommunications bill that passed the House and is awaiting Senate consideration.
ARRL's bylaws entrust government representation to the President, with assistance from the Executive Vice President. In practice, particularly since the President is a volunteer, it's a team effort. Our consistent presence on the Hill is provided by our legislative relations consultant, John Chwat of Chwat & Co. Eric Heis, KI4NFC, is employed by Chwat & Co. to ply the halls of the House and Senate Office Buildings on our behalf. Sometimes he is accompanied by other members of the ARRL's advocacy team, either volunteers or staff. These visits are most effective when Eric can personally deliver a stack of letters from constituents expressing their support for the ARRL's position. In recent months, about 1400 of you have written to your elected officials and have sent him copies. Your support has helped our Washington team be effective on your behalf. Thank you!
Letters are helpful, but personal contact by constituents is even better. This can be done much more effectively back in their Districts than in Washington. Recently the ARRL Board has been trying to increase members' awareness of the need for our legislators and their staffs to have an understanding of and appreciation for the contributions of radio amateurs to the public good. Networks are being organized in each ARRL Division with a Division Legislative Action Chair (who may be the Director himself) and State Legislative Action Coordinators appointed to coordinate the efforts of Legislative Action Assistants in each Congressional District. We need volunteers who will accept the challenge of making Amateur Radio visible to their legislators and their staffs, not just when we need their help with specific legislation but on an ongoing basis.
How do we define success for this program? One measure is what happens when Eric Heis visits an office on the Hill. If our Legislative Action program is a success, here's what will happen. Eric will introduce himself as representing ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio. The Congressional staffer will say, "Amateur Radio? Oh, we know all about you guys. You do great work. Charlie Jones back in the District keeps us informed and just told us about the wonderful job the hams did during the last wildfire (or flood, tornado, hurricane, blackout, even walkathon). Thanks for all you do. Now, what can we do for you today?"
While we still have hopes of moving our legislation forward in the 109th Congress, at this point there are not many days left on the legislative calendar prior to elections on November 7 (although there undoubtedly will be a need for a "lame duck" session afterwards). So, it isn't too early to begin thinking about the 110th Congress that will convene in January. If you have some time and talent available to help make this program a success, let your Director know.
Correction: In July, I attributed a saying to Will Rogers when the credit actually belongs to Sir Winston Churchill. Thanks to several members for pointing out the error.
