From 8:15 this morning, there was no doubt that Thursday February 28, was Government Affairs Day for the AIA's Grassroots Leadership conference. Following a moving "Presentation of the Colors" by the Joint Services Color Guard, plus a rousing rendition of the national anthem, AIA President Gordon H. Chong, FAIA, reminded the audience that Government Affairs Day is about "knowledge and then engagement" in the political process. "I would add a third and a fourth trait: passion and hope," Chong said, "'Hope' that we can make a difference in helping to move toward a better quality of life for all people, and 'passion' that we must!

Chong then bestowed Honorary Membership in the Institute on Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), saying that Pallone was one of the "Magnificent Eight" people whom the Institute so honored this year. He noted Pallone's accomplishment, particularly his environmental stewardship during his seven terms in the House. Pallone introduced the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001, which was just signed into law by President Bush. (Click for details.)

"Thank you—it is truly an honor to be recognized, but also to be a member of your Institute, Pallone said. "One of the reasons I am proud to belong to the AIA, and find it easy to work with architects in general, is that you care so much about the environment." Pallone urged participants to talk about the importance of school construction and energy efficiency to members of Congress. "These are issues on which we can bring people together."

Keynoter Allard: Business as war
AIA President-elect Thom Penney, FAIA, as chair of the Grassroots conference, had the privilege of introducing Thursday's keynote speaker, Kenneth Allard, PhD, Col. U.S. Army (ret.), senior associate for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and military expert on MS-NBC. Allard told the group that he wanted to talk about what he calls "Business as War"—some of which we have rediscovered after 9/11.

But first, he offered some advice: "Don't admit that you ever designed a building or anything for Enron," "don't be too partisan; if you're from Florida, don't say you voted for both of them," and "don't use the word "intern," Allard joked.

Allard used an example from history—medieval fortress architecture—to explain how flexibility is important to providing security. While stone fortresses were state-of-the-art protection, they were challenged by the acquisition of gunpowder and cast-iron cannons to fire granite missiles. It was the architects of the Middle Ages, he explained, who invented new levels of security through design—with moats, flankers, and crenellations in castle walls. "They effectively turned the enemy's strength into weakness," he explained" Architects had the attention of leaders in the middle ages; they have their attention now, he said.

The colonel also praised the AIA's new Security by Design book for delineating the thought process for protecting buildings post-September 11. "This is exactly the right idea," he said. He further stressed the importance of interdisciplinary thinking and the need to balance freedom with protection. "You architects are trained for that—and I think it's a contribution that is much needed now," Allard opined.

Allard left the audience with these final thoughts:
• Creativity counts. "Thank God for L'Enfant [architect of the original master plan for Washington, D.C.]," he said. "Our capital city was designed to be beautiful as well as functional."
• Leadership counts, too, because it can bring people together
• Creative local leadership counts more than anything else. "Security is a grassroots issue, Allard said. "The solutions are not in Washington, (except when the AIA conference is in town). You've got some awfully good ideas that this country needs to think about."

Allard's address was sponsored by the McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group.

The issues
Harking back to Chong's watchwords of "knowledge and engagement," AIA Managing Director of Government Affairs Lisa Blackwell, presented the knowledge part: the legislative issues for this year's visits to Capitol Hill:
• Building Security Through Design (the main focus)
• The Truthfulness Responsibility and Accountability in Contracting Act (TRAC)
• Energy Efficiency in Buildings
• School Modernization. (Click for details.)

Blackwell also filled participants in on the attractive lapel pins—silver AIA eagle on a stylized flag background—that they would present to members of Congress, with a card that says, in part, "The American Institute of Architects salutes the leadership role of the U.S. Congress as enlightened steward of our nation's Capitol. . . . We acknowledge the challenge of balancing the need for the public's security and the ideals of an open society, and offer you our support in accomplishing this great task."

Lobbyist and ex-congressional staffer Stephanie Vance, principal of AdVanced Consulting and author of "Government by the People: How to Communicate with Congress" (AdVanced Consulting, 1999) provided the how-to for the engagement part, through a speech titled "The Process: Lobbying Congress."

Vance impressed upon the audience that members of Congress truly have hectic schedules, ans it important to make them realize—right off the bat—how you are important to their home district. Before you engage the representative or a staff, she advised, ask yourself:

• What do you want? (Be specific—is it a site visit to a new building or a newsletter article? Make them think about you
• Who should be asked? (Why are you relevant to this elected official's district. "If you want something to happen, it has to be bi-partisan," Vance advised. "The Brownfields bill is a perfect example."
• How should you ask? Know your facts, be positive, make the issue your own personal issue. "Be prepared to deliver your message in five minutes," Vance concluded.

Shields peppers political food for thought
On a lighter note, political journalist and moderator of CNN's "The Capital Gang," Mark Shields turned his 30-something years of experience in covering American politics into a discussion of "The Landscape: Insights into the Political Environment."

Shields poked fun at politicians, including presidential candidate Steve Forbes, whom Shields labeled the representative of the "angry affluent," and a man who had once confessed to "ordering house Chablis." Shields had the audience in stitches by making fun of politicians from Truman to Gore and the President.

Americans are the most optimistic people on the face of the planet; we're also pragmatic, Shields explained. When any president lets us down, we have a great enthusiasm for what will come happen next.

Then he struck a serious note, speaking about the aftermath of September 11. "George Bush began 2001 as a question mark, and ended it as an exclamation point," he said. "He was inaugurated in January; he became president in September."

The presidency also became stronger, as always happens in war or any national emergency. Also, the presidency has recaptured the "commander in chief role again, according to Shields. Also, "you will hear very little anti-government rhetoric now, Shields said. "As a response, government is stronger and bigger. In this time of change, "we have to decide what we want America to be for," Shields concluded.

The importance of ArchiPAC
"It's a sure bet that somewhere during Government Affairs day there will be a plug for the AIA's PAC. The only question is when. Well, this is it!" Penney quipped. He explained that he didn't mind pitching for ArchiPAC, because he feels so strongly about its importance. Bill Smith, FAIA, Texas Regional Director and chair of the Ambassadors Program, along with Hon. Chris Widener, FAIA, past PIA Council Chair and former Ohio State Legislator (who's running for election again this year) highlighted the importance of the AIA's political action fund. Smith presented a proposed new structure that would have four executive trustees to help the ArchiPAC reach its $200,000 goal for 2002 (that's $2.98 per AIA member).

It was a morning brimming with good advice, some proud patriotism, and the appropriate dash of humor. Thus armed, the participants assembled into their constituent groups and prepared to engage Congress on the Hill.

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.