We Had a Very, Very Good Day.
19 September 2011
After this update, you may think that the only movie I have ever seen is “Jerry Maguire” (you know with my earlier “help me help you” comments); however, I just have to keep using this film’s material. After a stellar effort from our Chapter’s Delegation at the recent ACC Legislative Conference in DC September 11-13, 2011, I have to report to you in a way similar to how Tom Cruise did with Renee Zellweger at the end of the movie. “You see, Alabama Chapter, you know that project we have been working on…you know the Advocacy thing? Well, today we had a good day. We had a very, very good day.” During our formal Hill visits on Tuesday September 13, 2011, we met with 100% of Congressional Members requested. Not Legislative Aids (LA’s), but actual members! This is the first time in the twenty year history of the National ACC Legislative Conference that this has ever occurred! Unprecedented! We rate! Senator Jeff Sessions and House Members Joe Bonner, Mike Rogers, Spencer Bachus, Robert Aderholt, and Mo Brooks each gave our group 30-40 minutes of their undivided attention. Huge, my friends, considering the delegations from the other states usually visit with LA’s.
So what do we do now?
First, I urge all of you to thank our elected officials for their valuable time…for actually visiting with us. Since eight of us just spent 12 hours days in DC for the club, I don’t think it is too much to ask you to visit their websites (aderholt.house.gov; brooks.house.gov; bachus.house.gov; bonner.house.gov; and mike-rogers.house.gov and sessions.senate.gov) and e-mail a brief thank you for meeting with us. A simple “Thank you for meeting with the AL ACC Chapter Delegates recently. We know your time is valuable. We are encouraged by your support for and understanding of our issues” e-mail will go a long way. Other than Jeff Sessions (we can all send to him), you can only thank your specific House member (controlled by zip code). Also, if you will “donate” your name to me and Dee Mooty, I will draft and send individual letters to all of these legislators with all of our names on it.
Second, contribute to the ACC PAC. “Show me the money!” (same movie, huh?). This is an efficient way to support our congressional members who are sympathetic to our issues. This frankly gives me clout when I ask the ACC PAC to support our local friends. Rather than asking you to write 8 different checks, please consider a single one. I trust our national ACC PAC board…all walks…all parties…common cause of supporting legislators who “get the ACC thing”. Whatever, this is the perfect time to thank our friends.
So it’s simple. “We had a very, very good day”…“Show me the money!”…and once again, “Help me help you.”
Sincerely,
Carl J. Gessler, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.C.
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