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Delegations Report Hill Successes

NRPA's National Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation came to a close today as state delegations revealed their Capitol Hill successes in a "Reports from the Hill" session. Delegations reported numerous fruitful meetings with senators, representatives, and congressional staff.

Wayne Gay, pictured at left, reported for the Georgia delegation, which met with both of its senators' offices and a number of House staffs. "All were in suport of the Land and Water Conservation Fund," he said. "Overall, it was very receptive."

Many of the congressional leaders the delegations spoke with were allies on park and recreation issues. Maryland citizen Dalton Mann said he met with Rep. John Sarbanes' (D-Md.) staff. "His office was excellent," Mann said. "He was the author of No Child Left Behind legislation, which he obviously supports, as he does our other issues."

Through the reported successes of attendees and their state delegations, there was no doubt that NRPA had left an indelible footprint on this session's Congress.

It's a Bird

It's a plane. It's a . . . No, no, it's the hard-working delegation from Maryland on Capitol Hill fighting the good fight for public parks and recreation. Great job, gang! By the way, that's NRPA's very own Becky Webb Morser, second from the left.

Rallying the Troops

Question: How do you rally 400 delegates to hit Capitol Hill with determination, inspiration, and passion? Answer: If you're NRPA Interim Executive Director Katie Grove Coffroad, you don full boxing regalia at 8 o'clock in the morning and demand that people get fired up. Have to say, her tactic seems to have worked.

Awesome. You simply have to see it to believe it:

From All Corners

NRPA delegates from nearly every state across the nation headed to Capitol Hill to lobby for park and recreation interests today. Among the delegations were attendees from Louisiana, who had a full agenda, meeting with congressional staff members from Sen. David Vitter's (R-La.) and Sen. Mary Landrieu's (D-La.) offices, among others. They also met with Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.), pictured at left, and an aide. “We’re looking for funding for the [Land Water Conservation Fund], which has helped fund a number of project in our district,” NRPA Trustee Carl Breeden told Melancon's staff member. The congressman, who was voting on a number of bills, also met with the group for several minutes.

Walking the Halls

We are walking the halls of Congress--literally! Our first meeting is not for two hrs, and we are looking for the cafeteria. My blister does notr hurt b/c I still have my tennis shoes on! I will change on my way into the congressman's office. For now it's hurry up and wait.
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Prepping for the Hill

I'm getting ready to recharge my batteries for 2day's venture. (Go2bed). I have a meeting with Rep. Price from Raleigh, N.C. I think I want to talk to him about 21st Century and Water Conservation but also about the economic impact our Cary Tennis Park has had on our local economy and the health benefits derived from a facility built in one of the fastest-growing senior communities in North Carolina serving one of the fastest growing/revisited senior sports. I also want to talk about how parks will help our disabled military veterans, especially living so close to Fort Bragg/Fayetteville.

Will let you know how it goes. I hope breakfast is filling.....we leave at 8 a.m. ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

P.S. The reception was really nice tonight!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry