Summary: AIA members and component executives report that lawmakers and aides were receptive to the AIA issues agenda presented February 8, Grassroots Advocacy Day. That evening, AIArchitect asked the participants to share their experiences on Capitol Hill as well as the feedback they received on the AIA legislative priorities.

AIA Westchester/Mid-Hudson: We met with three aides from two of our New York representatives, Nita Lowey and Eliot Engel, as well as with Rep. John Hall. We were well received. The legislators and staff were receptive to the issues we discussed and very accommodating, especially Nita Lowey, who’s been involved, I think, with some of the bills that we were advocating. They were especially interested in the Energy Efficient Tax Credit. They were all pretty much in agreement with that. We invited them all back to our chapter dinner, so we’ll see what happens.

—Left to right: Carol Cioppa, AIA, president-elect; Robert Stanziale, AIA, president; and Valerie Brown, executive director

AIA Sante Fe: The staff for Senators Bingaman and Dominici were very receptive and recognized we need to do something about sustainability, not just energy conservation, but across the board.

—John Alejandro, AIA, treasurer, AIA Western Mountain Region

AIA Wyoming: We had a very successful day. We met with our one member in person and with aides to our two senators. They really bought into the idea of sustainability and said, “Yes, we really need to do it.” It helped that there was only one piece of active legislation we were advocating. They were all intrigued by the Clean Water Act. When you relate clean water with sustainability it’s a real easy tie for them to make.

—Larry Berlin, AIA, president

AIA Lubbock: I had a really good visit with the aide to Congressman Neugebauer. He had firsthand experience with the Historic Renovation Tax Credits with a historic house he owns behind the Capitol and was knowledgeable about building with renewable resources. He couldn’t commit to any specific support for our issues but said he would visit with the congressman about them.

—John White, AIA, president

AIA Colorado: We learned a lot from last year when we went in groups that were too big. This year we only scheduled about six people for each member. The staff people were very receptive. We didn’t get any promises, but they were asking good questions. The AIA picked good issues this year. That they all tied together worked well.

—Cornelius DuBois, FAIA, president

—Tracy Ostroff