Lobbyist Gift Reform Countdown, May 25, 1994
Posted on: June 11, 2008Written by: UWSA Staff
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Lobbyist Gift Reform Countdown, May 25, 1994
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Supporting S.1935, the Lobbyist Gift Reform Bill
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This bulletin is dedicated to Senator Frank Lautenberg. His recent letter made clear that he took it on the chin for daring go up against the Golf and Tennis Caucus. He is not a powerful committee chair, so he is a convenient whipping boy for their anger.
Worse than that, in all of the newspaper articles I read about the passage of S.1935, Senator Lautenberg had seemingly dropped off the radar. Partly this was because his name wasn't on the final bill, but it may be that he was so stunned by the trip behind the woodshed that he didn't feel much like talking to the press.
It seems we have a system that punishes uncompromising reformers. They get kicked by their colleagues, ignored by the press, and left for dead. At this rate we won't get much reform legislation.
Where I come from we stick by those who stick by us. Here's one idea for how we can help.
The most widely read section of any newspaper is the letters to the editor. How about writing to newspapers in Senator Lautenberg's neck of the woods telling the citizens of his state how grateful we are for his efforts? Maybe mention that the fight goes on in conference and still needs citizen support. The more letters that come in, the more likely they will publish one.
Some popular newspapers in the area are the New York Post, the Bergen County Record, and the Trenton Times. I personally am writing the New York Times, so here's the information I got:
Letters to the Editor NY Times 229 West 43rd St New York, NY 10036 Letters to the Editor Fax is (212) 556-3690.
Include name, address, daytime phone. Keep it short.
Please alert d.wiesner@genie.geis.com if any letters get published.
Senator Lautenberg and his aides would doubtless greatly appreciate more thank you calls or letters. This bill would have never happened without their incredibly dogged determination. Many times, they labored late into the night to see it through.
The Senate is at Washington, DC 20510. Senator Lautenberg's office phone is (202) 224-4744.
