By Aris Anagnos*
Members of Congress are extremely busy with multiple issues and to get their attention two things are required: money or people (i.e. blocks of voters), or both. Most legislators, with various exceptions, have very little knowledge of our issues so an effort to educate them is needed.
Until we get effective campaign finance reform such as a public financing system, our elected officials are very heavily dependent on money, from whatever source. Campaigns are getting increasingly expensive, particularly in the large urban areas, because of the cost of television ads. In most instances, no sooner are the members of the House of Representatives elected than they start raising money for their reelection two years later. Senators, even though elected for six years, are not far behind. This gives the opportunity to special interests to contribute huge sums of money by “bundling” together contributions from many sources in an industry, profession or an individual large company. It gives rise to the lucrative lobbying industry.
The current debate about health care reform gives some vivid illustrations: According to www.opensecrets.org, Senator Max Baucus of the State of Montana, with fewer than a million people, received $1,717,130 from health care and insurance interests in the 2008 campaign cycle. Is it any wonder that he has defended their interests with such tenacity?
As we frequently say, we get the best Congress that money can buy. For those who are interested in finding out more details about the logistics of campaign financing, Charles Lewis of the Center for Public Integrity, has written a book, “The Buying of the Congress”, which I highly recommend reading.
TECHNIQUES OF LOBBYING. THE IDEAL GOAL
Here is how to organize:
Ideally we should have a permanent committee of active constituents in EVERY congressional district which would establish friendly relations with the local member of Congress and keep him or her informed about developments on our issues. Such committees should have from five to ten members and elect a chair and vice chair. They should meet periodically to discuss developments and keep informed and disseminate their information to the broader community. If a member of the community is a friend, acquaintance or campaign contributor of the Congressional Representative, he or she should be included. When a committee member drops out, a replacement should be found. It is a good idea to have members from all spectrums of society in the committee; men, women, younger people and older folks. The committee should be non-partisan in its policies and be ready to work with both Democrats & Republicans who are willing to support our causes.
Once organized and prepared, a member of the committee should call the local field office of the congressional representative for an appointment, emphasizing that the committee represents the Greek-American community of the District. Frequently an aide will try to arrange the meeting with just a staff member but gentle insistence should in most cases produce a meeting with the congressman or woman. Material on our issues is available from the American Hellenic Council (www.americanhellenic.org), the American Hellenic Institute (www.ahiworld.com) and from the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (1100 New Hampshire Ave, N.W., Washington DC 20037)
THE MEETING
The meeting will generally be limited to half an hour because legislators, when they are in the District, have multiple appointments with various groups. Accordingly, brevity and focus on particular issues is essential. A legislator’s aide will usually be present.
The Agenda:
1) If the legislator has done something praiseworthy for the District or nationally, it is important to give praise and establish a warm and friendly relationship.
2) A brief review of the basic issues of concern to our community.
They are:
- The aggressive behavior of Turkey in the Aegean with flights over Greek territory and claims of “grey zones.” This creates a danger of war between two NATO allies and could embroil the U.S. Turkey's behavior is obviously not in the national interest of the U.S.
- The protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from the constant harassment by Turkish authorities who use excessive taxation, confiscation of properties and the closing of the theological school of Halki. This is contrary to the basic human right of freedom of religion that every American administration supports.
- The peaceful reunification of Cyprus and the removal of the illegal Turkish troops of occupation from the northern part of the island. This violation of international law and continuation of Turkish aggression damages the U.S. national interest which requires the rule of law and absence of conflict in the area.
- The name issue of FYROM, the former Yougoslav Republic of Macedonia. This issue is hard to understand for people who are not familiar with the area and the provocative acts of the FYROM’s government. It needs a careful explanation with facts and examples. Again, the claims raised by FYROM as part of this issue are contrary to good neighborly relations, threaten destabilization of the region and are therefore contrary to the US national interest.
Where possible, we should ask for a commitment of support on each specific issue. There may be other issues from time to time or legislation or Resolutions that have been introduced for which the delegation can ask for support. Generally, we should not dissipate our efforts with too many issues but concentrate on the basics.
It is important that we ask the legislator to join the US House Caucus on Hellenic Affairs (also known as the Hellenic Caucus), which in the current Session has 141 members, some more active than others. If he or she is already a member we should thank them for that.
I am proud to say that, thanks to the efforts of the American Hellenic Council of California, 29 of the 53 US House Representatives from California are members of the Caucus.
After the initial meeting, the committee should keep contact with the congressional member or at least an aide from that office. One member of the delegation should record the minutes and if possible send a brief synopsis to the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, the American Hellenic Institute or the American Hellenic Council so that they can be aware of the action. The group should also send a letter thanking the congressional representative and keep in touch thereafter, either with the Member of Congress or an aide.
I have described the ideal situation. Do we currently have the ideal? Certainly not. Yet we must strive towards it with patience and perseverance. The American Hellenic Council together with the organizations mentioned above, stand ready to help. Let us go to work!
Aris Anagnos is one of the founders of the American Hellenic Council of California which was first created in 1974 at the time of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus as the “Save Cyprus Council.” Anagnos has served several terms as President and Vice President and has been active for decades in lobbying Congress for Hellenic Causes.
