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As Lawn & Landscape reported yesterday, a fly-in to Washington, D.C. has been called by industry organizations in support of the H-2B program. Today, the organization Save Small Business announced additional details regarding the upcoming H-2B Fly-In scheduled for March 15.
Individuals that wish to participate should plan to arrive in Washington, D.C. by March 14 and should set up appointments with their state’s Members of Congress prior to arrival. The agenda for the lobby day on Capitol Hill includes:
8:00 AM: Light breakfast and briefing in the US Senate (exact room information will be announced) with US Senate staff (and potentially at least one US Senator).
Morning: Meet US Senators and Senate staff to discuss importance of passing S.2284 and getting every US Senator on board as a co-sponsor of the Bill.
Lunch: Participants will be on their own for lunch. There are restaurants all around the US Capitol as well as restaurant/cafeterias in the US Senate and House office buildings.
Afternoon: Meet Members of Congress and House staff to discuss the importance of passing H.R.4470 and getting every Representative on board as a co-sponsor of the Bill.
Information on how to contact your Senators and Congress Members can be found on each members’ Web site through either www.senate.gov or www.house.gov. Or, you may contact the Congressional Switchboard at 202/224-3121 to be connected to the Member’s office. Hank Lavery of Save Small Business suggests that attendees request to have their picture taken with each Senator or Representative with whom they visit. These photos can be sent to local newspapers or other organizations in the Member’s home state for a news item. Additionally, Lavery notes that without requesting a photo opportunity, attendees may be less likely to meet with the Senator or Representative face-to-face.
“With the Congressional debate on overall immigration policy and border enforcement moving at a fast pace, it is imperative that the H-2B issue does not get lost in the process,” Lavery said in a Save Small Business news announcement. “Senate and House offices have informed us that without each of you making every effort you can to drum up support for the Save Small Business Extension Bill, we may see the H-2B returning worker exemption end permanently on Sept. 30, 2006.”
Lavery notes that supporters of the legislation had hoped to schedule the fly-in for later in the congressional season, but that the debate on immigration policy is “gaining steam,” so the need for an event became more immediate.
For more information on how to participate in the fly-in, visit Save Small Business online at www.savesmallbusiness.org or the Professional Landcare Network at www.landcarenetwork.org.