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Senator Urges Citizen Lobbying
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
At an intimate breakfast in the historic Senate Caucus Room in the Russell Building, Senator Patty Murray welcomed the 100 NCPERS members who came to begin their lobbying activities by breaking bread with the United States Senator.
Introduced by NCPERS First Vice President Pat McElligott, Sen. Murray began by remarking on the timeliness of the NCPERS legislative conference given the assaults defined benefit pension plans are facing both in the public and private sectors. Additionally, she encouraged the breakfast attendees to actively oppose the president's agenda to privatize Social Security.
The Senator correctly linked together the futures of defined benefit plans and Social Security. While these two programs are distinct and separate, both must be in good health and have the support of the public to help ensure that Americans don't spend their golden years in poverty and insecurity.
Sen. Murray concluded her remarks with advice and tips on make effective lobbying visits. She stated that when she is lobbied, the arguments that impress her the most and are the most compelling are the ones told from a personal perspective or relate personal stories. She advised constituent lobbyists to leave the charts, graphs, and other dispassionate arguments to others. Rather, tell Members of Congress real stories about the people in their communities—how they are being helped, hurt, or affected by policies crafted in Washington, DC.
First elected in 1992, Sen. Patty Murray is the senior Senator from Washington and the first woman to represent the state in the United States Senate. From her position on the Appropriations and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees, she fights for working Americans
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