Dear Campaign Advocate
Thanks in large part to your hard work and organizing around H.R. 4722, the Active Community Transportation Act of 2010 (ACT Act)*, 52 co-sponsors have now joined Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) in support of the bill. This impressive list of members from diverse regions of the country—gathered in such a short timeframe—reflects the great potential for even more congressional sponsors.
To build on this momentum, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is convening a strategy meeting for federal lobbyists representing communities participating in the Campaign for Active Transportation:
What: Strategy session on H.R. 4722, the ACT Act
Where: 2121 Ward Court NW, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037
When: June 23, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (lunch will be served)
Objective: To maximize our collective effectiveness in ensuring the passage of H.R. 4722
If your community has federal lobbying representation on this issue, please take the following actions:
- Call your D.C. lobbyist(s) and ask them to attend the meeting**;
- Follow up on your call by forwarding your lobbyist(s) this invitation;
- E-mail RTC with his/her name and contact information for further conversations; and
- R.S.V.P., or encourage your community’s lobbyist do so him/herself, at http://support.railstotrails.org/lobbyist_meeting.
A tentative agenda is below. A final agenda, with background materials, will be sent out in advance of the meeting.
11 a.m. Introductions (identity, affiliation, client(s), nature of involvement)
11:10 a.m. Background on H.R. 4722
11:20 a.m. Overview of active transportation strategy (In-district/D.C., House/Senate, Democrat/Republican)
11:30 a.m. Making the case: What works? (framing, messaging, supporting materials)
11:45 a.m. Target list
12:00 p.m. Break, serve food for a working lunch
12:15 p.m. Discuss strategy for reaching targets
1:00 p.m. Discuss strengths/weaknesses and Campaign for Active Transportation needs
1:20 p.m. Next steps
1:30 p.m. Adjourn
Questions can be directed to kartik@railstotrails.org.
Thank you,
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
* The ACT Act would create a competitive federal grant program averaging $400 million per year for dozens of communities around the country to invest in completing their walking and bicycling systems, enabling more short trips to safely be completed without an automobile.
** If your lobbyist is outside the Washington, D.C., area and are unable to attend, please still register, and we will look into the possibility of hosting a conference call.
|
