SAF member Manny Gonzales of Tiger Lily Florist in Charleston, S.C., knows the power of Congressional Action Days. The first-time attendee prepped for his appointment with Rep. Henry Brown, Jr. (R-1-S.C.) by researching what his positions were on immigration reform, estate tax and increased floriculture and nursery research spending. Gonzales met with an aide from Rep. Brown's office on Feb. 26 about the issues affecting the floral industry.

"I felt like I gave it my best shot," Gonzales told E-Brief editors. Gonzales knew from his research that Rep. Brown already supported estate tax reform, so he focused on emphasizing why more funding for floriculture is needed.

Later on that evening at the Congressional Reception, Rep. Brown arrived and wanted to meet Gonzales. The florist says that the congressman specifically asked, "What can I do for you?" Gonzales highlighted the need for more research funding to be directed toward the floriculture and nursery industry. He also made sure to let the congressman know that he was a resident and a business owner in his district.

Gonzales followed up his Congressional Action Days experience by mailing out thank you letters to the staffers he had met with at each congressional office. He, however, wasn't the only person following up. A little more than two weeks after Gonzales got back from Washington he was "pleasantly surprised" when Chris Berardini, chief of staff from Rep. Brown's office sent him an e-mail asking to have the congressman's name added to the letter in support of increasing the FY2009 funding amount for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative.

SAF is also building on the momentum of member visits to the Hill during Congressional Action Days. On March 12, SAF put out an action alert urging members to contact their representatives to let them know how crucial floral research funding is to the industry. So far, more than 100 letters have been sent to the Hill in support of the issue. The drive for increased floral research funding was one of three key issues SAF members took to the Hill during Congressional Action Days. As is evident from Manny Gonzales's personal experience, members voicing their concerns on the Hill can generate action.

--Morgan Schimminger
mschimminger@safnow.org

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