Don‘t Delay, Register Today!
Washington, DC, April 10, 2006–The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is pleased to announce that this year, we will include a Capitol Hill Day on June 15, at our upcoming Convention. ADC’s Convention will be held at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel during June 15-18, 2006. The hotel is accessible by public transportation (bus and metro) and conveniently located at 2660 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 | Phone: 202-328-2000 | Fax: 202-234-0015 | www.wardmanpark.com.
WHY CAPITOL HILL DAY?
As you know, the hallmark of American democracy is a representative government. It is the civic responsibility of all Americans to let their elected officials know how they feel about the votes they cast and policy positions. ADC encourages you to join us for Capitol Hill Day in order to personally deliver your messages to your elected members of Congress. This last year has been filled with legislation and administrative actions targeting the Arab-American community. If you are unhappy about this trend, take action by communicating your concerns to your members of Congress.
A large contingent of Arab-Americans on Capitol Hill will show both Democrats and Republicans the importance of the Arab and Muslim-American vote in their state and in their districts. It is also important to note, most elections are won or lost by a relatively few number of votes. Members of Congress are very eager to hear constituents express their concern and/or support. ADC regularly communicates its concerns to Congress, now Congress needs to see you.
WHAT TO DO PRIOR TO ADC‘S CAPITOL HILL DAY
To better assist ADC in organizing Capitol Hill Day, please register by sending the name, address and email of each person who will participate in Capitol Hill Day to ADC Legislative Director Christine Gleichert at christine@adc.org or (202) 244-2990.
ADC will be holding a lobbying workshop at 10:30 AM on the Hill (for location see itinerary below.) We encourage you to stop by the workshop before your meetings. Prior to the Convention, ADC will provide policy packets with talking points about issues important to the community. Should you need your policy packet mailed to you please make sure you contact Christine Gleichert.
Please note that because of the convenience of our hotel‘s location, Capitol Hill Day participants are expected to travel to and from Capitol Hill on their own by using public transportation or taxis to reach their destination. A one-way fare on metro costs individuals $1.35 and taxis are approximately $10 each way from the hotel. Please allow a minimum of 30 minutes in each direction for travel time.
SCHEDULING MEETINGS WITH YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
As you schedule your meetings for Thursday, June 15, keep in mind that everyone has one Member of Congress in the House of Representatives and is represented in the US Senate by two senators. We hope everyone can get a meeting with all 3 of their Washington representatives. ADC strongly discourages people from dropping into congressional offices without a scheduled appointment on June 15, you need to plan ahead.
To identify your members of congress go to http://capwiz.com/adc/dbq/officials/.
By entering your zip code, you will receive the contact information. However, should you have any questions on how to do this, please do not hesitate to contact ADC Government Relations staff for assistance. Participants should schedule their own meetings with congressional offices. This is the first step in being part of the lobbying process, and it is also more effective when a constituent directly contacts their members. Many of you already have contacts within these offices and are experienced in setting up meetings. For those of you unfamiliar with the process, this is a great opportunity to begin your relationship with that office (see link below for getting a meeting with your Member of Congress.) Members are genuinely anxious to meet with constituents from their district or state. Further as their constituents, you are much more likely to get a meeting than by having the ADC national office calling on your behalf.
You can plan meetings at any time on Thursday, June 15. Keep in mind it takes approximately 15-20 minutes to go from the House to the Senate side of the Capitol and vice versa. Please allocate enough time in between scheduled meetings.
ADC has developed resources, listed below, to assist you as you plan for Capitol Hill Day.
USEFUL INFORMATION
· Find your Washington representatives at Capwiz
http://capwiz.com/adc/dbq/officials/
· For getting a meeting with a Member of Congress
https://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2285
· For preparing for your Meeting
https://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2286
Questions and registration for ADC‘s Capitol Hill Day should be sent to ADC Legislative Director Christine Gleichert at christine@adc.org or (202) 244-2990.
ITINERARY OF ADC CAPITOL HILL DAY
Thursday, June 15th, 2006
8:00 AM- 8:00 PM
Convention Registration
Wardman Marriott Park Hotel
10:30 AM-11:30 AM
Capitol Hill Workshop. ADC Government Affairs Staff will go over lobby packet and answer questions from participants.
2105 Rayburn House Office Building
Capitol Hill
11:30 AM-5:00 PM
Afternoon of Meetings with Congressional Offices arranged by Lobby Day participants
Capitol Hill
7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Embassy Reception and Buffet Dinner
Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
10:30 PM-1:30 AM
ADC Convention Kick off Party
Wardman Park Marriott Hotel