This Just In | |||||||||||
From Color Guard to Political
Pundit, Government Affairs Day Starts Off with a Patriotic Flair Participants gain the knowledge to engage members of Congress |
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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 youit 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 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 historymedieval fortress architectureto 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 designwith 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 thatand I think it's a contribution that is much needed now," Allard opined. Allard left the audience with these final thoughts: Allard's address was sponsored by the McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group. The issues Blackwell also filled participants in on the attractive lapel pinssilver AIA eagle on a stylized flag backgroundthat 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 realizeright off the bathow you are important to their home district. Before you engage the representative or a staff, she advised, ask yourself: What do you want? (Be specificis it
a site visit to a new building or a newsletter article? Make them think
about you Shields peppers political
food for thought 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 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. |
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