Masonry Magazine July 2007 Page. 26
LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE
Senate Briefing
ALL ATTENDEES were in agreement on Clark's final point as they left the early morning engagement and headed toward the Capitol Building on Wednesday afternoon for a planned Senate briefing. Between the many scheduled votes for the day, several senators and one Judiciary Committee member took the time to stop by the Lyndon B. Johnson Room on the second floor to address the conference attendees and to take a few questions. Among those who gave of their time were Phil Kiko, chief council, Senate Judiciary Committee; Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT); Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN); and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
As proponents of small business and vocal on the issues that affect this industry, each of the senators thanked the group for coming to Washington, D.C., to speak on behalf of the 600,000-plus construction industry professionals in this country. "This is a place that needs more business people," Corker said of the U.S. government. Collins added that it is important when business owners and concerned citizens come to Washington and get their voices heard. And clearly, to many of our elected officials, it is important to them to hear what we have to say.
"Hearing the messages on important issues directly from administration representatives, senators and congressmen gives you a much stronger understanding of the political process and