legislative AFFAIRS
Legislative Update
Why Does the Chamber Go to Washington?
Burl Haigwood: Director of Operations & Public Affairs
In the world of government relations there are three basic
rules. Be there. Be there. Be there. You must be present to win.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances -- 1st Amendment to the United States
Constitution, 1791.
For 15 of the past 16 years the B/CS Chamber of Commerce
has delivered on its commitment to members to be the
voice of local business to city, county, state and nationally
elected officials. The Washington DC Legislative Fly-in helps
us connect with our elected representatives, we continue
to educate our Chamber leadership and other members so
we can maintain a strong leadership position in government
affairs. I think the delegation should get a LOT of continuing
education credits for what they learned about the legislative
process on this trip. They deserve a big applause for spending
their valuable time and resources to represent Bryan/College
Station, Brazos County – and local business.
The Delegation hand delivered our Federal Legislative
Action Plan to each office in the U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives representing Texas. Our Congressman Bill
Flores and his team also coordinated a very special one-day
briefing that included presentations from:
1. Chairman of the Republican Study Committee,
Congressman Bill Flores
2. Majority Whip and Senate Finance and Judiciary
Committees, Sena