The Carpet and Rug Institute's Annual Visit to Capitol Hill and Congressional Reception
Last week I participated in a noteworthy Carpet and Rug Institute event: the annual visit to Capitol Hill. Of course, for me, it’s not so much of a visit since I’m located in the DC area year ‘round. But it is an amazing experience. When James Beach shared with me that he would be writing today’s blog, I pooh-poohed the idea of him blogging about something he didn’t personally experience. So now I’m today's designated CRI blogger….
For the past several years, shortly after Congress convenes for a new session, CRI staff Werner Braun, Frank Hurd and I accompany a group that includes members of CRI’s Government Issues Committee and representatives from the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce on a trip to Washington DC to visit selected Congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. We also schedule a reception on The Hill. This year 's delegation was bigger than any previous year's, which allowed for more visits and more "face-time" with our elected representatives. We not only met with members of the Georgia Delegation, we branched out and met with members from Alabama, Tennessee, and the Carolinas!
This was the first year we had enough attendees to split into two groups, which enabled us to cover more ground. And when I say ground I mean it. Those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of traipsing back and forth between the House and Senate and even into the U.S. Capitol can’t truly appreciate the value of comfortable shoes! (I had warned our member company folks that they should come rested and in appropriate footwear!)
We packed more than 20 meetings into just over 24 hours. Wednesday morning, February 24, we began with a pre-briefing to discuss our talking points and divide into groups before setting off. Our Schedule included visits to Congressman Westmoreland (R-3rd, GA), Congressman Gingrey (R 11th, GA), Sen. Shelby (R-AL), Congressman Hank Johnson (D 4th, GA), Senator Isakson (R-GA), Sen. Hagen (D-NC), Congressman Marshall (D-3rd, GA), Sen. Session (R-AL), Congressman Broun (R 10th-GA), and Congressman Deal (R-9th GA). And that was just on Wednesday.
On Wednesday evening, CRI hosted a reception in the Rayburn House Office Building that featured food from Chick-fil-A. This was no small undertaking, because, unlike Georgia, there isn’t a Chick-fil-A on every other corner. We know that the staffers enjoy it and so we work to have it there and not disappoint. It’s also the occasion where attendees get a small rug with a depiction of something representative of Georgia. This year it was the Live Oak.
The reception was followed by dinner with CRI staff and member company personnel to relax (i.e. finally sit down!), recap the events of the day and prepare for the next full day of meetings.
Thursday we had more meetings with the following offices: Congressman Linder (R-7th GA), Sen. Alexander (R-TN), Sen. DeMint (R-SC), Sen. Corker (R – TN), Congressman Barrow (D-12th GA), Sen. Chambliss (R-GA), Congressman Kingston (R-1st GA), Congressman Lewis (D-5thGA), Congressman Price (R-6th GA) and Sen. Burr (R-NC).
During each of our meetings with Congressmen, Senators and staffers we addressed a number of issues relevant to the industry. We began every meeting with a “thank you” for efforts already made on behalf of our industry. Then we launched into our hot topics this year: Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA or the “card check” bill), the home furnishings tax credit (HIRE Act), Climate Change, Recycling, EPA Coal Fly Ash Regulations and Extended Producer Responsibility Laws at the state level.
It was a lot of information to cover but we did it! A big thank you goes out to our contract lobbyist, Dutko Worldwide who managed much of the scheduling and logistics. An even bigger thanks goes to our GIC members who took the time to travel to DC and share their expertise with policy makers. I think this might possibly have been our most successful visit to-date!
I think you'll enjoy these photos from the CRI Annual Congressional Reception & Capitol Hill Visit.
Here, Werner Braun prepares to shake hands with Congressman Westmoreland – also in this photo – Rick Hooper, Frank Hurd and Brian Anderson.
Next, Louis Fordham and Werner Braun receive a copy of the US Constitution signed by Congressman Paul Broun.
Drake and Larry Cook with Congressman Broun.
And, here, Brian Anderson, Congressman Deal and Rick Hooper enjoy Werner Braun’s remarks at the reception
~ Jenn Mendez
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