Senator Surprise

It’s hard to imagine how fifteen teens can head off to bed on a Sunday night looking scruffy, worn out, and more than a little apprehensive about what was to come and wake up on a Monday morning looking and feeling “ready for action.” It’s also hard to succinctly convey the awesome nature of this day; there is simply so much to report about our amazing teens and this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Sporting professional appearances and mature and focused demeanors, these fifteen students set off for their lobbying visits ready for anything. Even though the Portland group had toured the Capitol on Friday, seeing it this morning as the bus made its approach had new-found meaning for each and every one of them. With presentations in hand and a few butterflies in stomachs, the group made its way to our first visit with Ron Wyden’s staff. Aliza and Emma began by asking for the Senator’s continued support of the Gunshow Loophole Closing and Gunshow Background Check Acts. Next, Annissa, Stephani and Jessica asked that in the next Congress extra effort be given to passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act on behalf of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community. The two Legislative Assistants who were assigned to our group were in the middle of their thoughtful response to our students’ impressive and very knowledgeable presentations when in walks the Senator. That man knows how to work a crowd—he was funny and personable and his presence was an absolute surprise as we were originally told he was in Oregon this week (probably getting ready for his big speech at Beth Israel on Friday). Senator Wyden proceeded to ask for questions from the teens and Ari, who was set to speak on behalf of Reproductive Rights and more specifically the Freedom of Choice Act, launched into her speech for which she was more than prepared. What a thrilling moment for all of our students! The meeting concluded with a great photo op and the Senator telling us he’d see us on “Shabbos.” Next, the group proceeded to Senator Smith’s office where they would speak with a staff member who was obviously out of a job come January, but would hopefully take on a position with another member of the Congress. Mati, Zack, and Mac asked that wherever the young Aide would go, he would express their desire to see Capitol Hill address the issue of Climate Change. Specifically, they were advocating for a cap-and-trade system that would require polluters to pay for their CO2 emissions and provide financial incentives for reducing pollution. Despite the subdued atmosphere in the office given Mr. Smith’s imminent departure, our presence and the boys’ command of their subject brought a great energy to the meeting. Then it was picture time in front of the Supreme Court and lunch at the House of Representative’s Cafeteria where Nancy Pelosi’s policy of greening the Capitol could be seen in the compost bins, cornstarch-based take out containers, and biodegradable water bottles. After the crew ate, we divided into two groups with all those who live in Representative David Wu’s district meeting with his staff and Sam and his support group (the Lake Oswego folks who were unable to meet with Darlene Hooley given that her office was all but closed) heading toward Earl Blumenauer’s office. Sam did a phenomenal job speaking passionately on behalf of ending the violence in Darfur and the Congo and the group was able to hear, via the Aide, about some of the Representative’s priorities once January comes. Meanwhile, the other group caught a sighting of Representative Wu as he headed out of the office (perhaps to discuss the automakers’ bailout which was the only reason any of the lawmakers were in town). Strolling through the rows of moving boxes and furniture in the hallways of the House building, Representative Wu’s staff person met with the students in the cafeteria where Maggie, Hannah, and Ari thanked Mr. Wu for his on-going support of a woman’s right to choose and David, Rebecca and Zakk addressed economic justice issues, including the Bringing America Home Act, which is expected to be re-introduced in the next Congress as it is a comprehensive bill designed to address the crisis of homelessness in the U.S. Given the current state of the economy, this important piece of legislation has the potential to make a big difference (it provides for affordable housing, job training, vouchers for child care and public transportation, and support for livable wages among other things) and our students’ passion and advocacy for it will certainly prompt Representative Wu to make it a first priority under the new administration. And then our lobbying tasks were over. The two groups met up again and, at that moment, it seemed that all that we had prepared for was behind us. The students had come, had seen, and had definitely “conquered.” However, when we ended our day on “The Hill” by reconnecting with the hundreds of other URJ (Union of Reform Judaism) teens from all over the country, we were reminded that, in truth, our advocacy work has just begun. We now have the tools and the know-how to stand up for justice. We have experienced first-hand the interest our Senators and Representatives have in hearing our voices and their commitment to listen to what we have to say. What an outstanding group of kids...and what an incredible five days! The junk-food splurges at the airport and the long naps on the plane ride home were more than well-deserved.