More than 110 SAF members from 40 companies and 27 states are taking their business concerns to Washington, D.C. next week for SAF Congressional Action Days. They'll be talking about the need for immigration and estate tax reform and stressing the importance of funding for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative. "It's absolutely vital that legislators understand the down-home impact of these issues before they're asked to vote on them," says SAF Government Relations Committee Chairman Kevin Priest, AAF, of Cleveland Plant & Flower Company in Parma, Ohio. "A constituent who takes the time to come to Washington is going to have the greatest impact. That's why this effort is so important."

Here are some of the key talking points they'll be taking to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Feb. 26:

• Immigration Reform. SAF supports AgJOBS, which has three components: creating a workable H-2A guestworker program; providing a way to allow experienced but unauthorized farm workers already in the U.S. a chance to earn the right to transition to legal status; and enacting provisions to secure our borders and improve security.

• Estate Tax Reform. The estate tax inhibits family businesses and farms from growing and surviving beyond one generation. Money used to plan for the estate tax is money not reinvested into employees and the business. The tax forces small business owners to pay lawyers and accountants and purchase life insurance in order to ensure all they have worked to build is not eliminated.

• Research. The research priorities of the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative focus on needs of national importance and are consistent with those in the budget of the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS): improved product quality to enhance competitiveness; improved crop production tools; improved protection against pests and diseases; and environmental stewardship.

In addition to talking points, Congressional Action Days participants will walk into legislators' offices trained in professional lobbying techniques and practiced presentation strategies designed to make the most of the information and skills each state delegate brings to the table. And, they'll have spent two hours getting inside legislators' minds during Monday afternoon's Congressional Insights workshop — so they'll know how to make legislators sit up and pay attention.

Attendees also will have gathered insider perspective from Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, Rep. Jim Walsh (R-N.Y.) and veteran broadcast journalist Chris Wallace. Supporters of SAFPAC, SAF's political action committee, will be treated to a performance by Washington's renowned satire troupe, The Capitol Steps, on Monday evening. Members of the SAFPAC Gold Club will hear from Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) during the Gold Club Lunch on Tuesday. Attendees will wrap up Tuesday at SAF's much anticipated Congressional Reception.

Watch for Congressional Action Days news reports and photos online next week, in upcoming issues of E-Brief, the April Floral Management Magazine and Dateline.