Ten Commandments for Academics Who Want to Influence Congress
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ou Shalt Know Thy Congressman Get to know the Congressman or Senator from your district or State on a personal basis. Get dose enough to him that he knows your name and who you are, and what Organization, lab, or school you are with. Forthe most part that will be easier than you think.
II. Thou Shalt Know About Thy Congressman Get to know about him so that you don't comm'rt any faux pas that will damage your basic cause. For example, don't rail against pork-barrel politics when you are there trying to bring home a little bacon of your own. It is not likely that the Congressman will share all your political views, and his general voting record might be other than you would like. However, the only voting record that counts, at the time, istheone he will makeon the issue you are pressing.
HI. Thou Shalt Not Limit Visitation to Crisis Situations Make sure that some of the Visits are just attitude-enhancing efforts. Visit often for a "hi" and a handshake. The influence you have will fall off inversely as some high power of the length of time between Visits.
IV. Thou Shalt Know the Congressman's Staff People
Want to Influence Congress." Hanson is executive director of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. (See the May 1988 issue of the MRS BULLETIN, p. 41-42, for a report on the APS Meeting and the session on physics funding.)
VI. Thou Shalt Not Commit Effrontery Toward Someone^ Eise's Project Be positive about your own shtick, and do not attack another program gratuitously. Congressmen will have to make choices, but they don't appreciate academic intellectuals telling them what an easy and obvious choice it is, especially if you urge them to scuttle programs to which they are committed.
VE. Thou Shalt Visit the Congressman in His District When he's not in Washington politicking, he's in his district politicking, and there are ways of showing him at home that there are real votes involved. Also consider volunteering a few hours of your time (or a relative's time) for envelope-stuffing and making phone calls.
VIII. Thou Shalt Get to Know Who the Key Congressmen Are Know who they are in terms of major committee assignments, and make informed liaisons with other scientists who are in the districts served by these key Congressmen.
IX. Thou Shalt Accept a Turn-Down or Set-Back Graciously
The Congressman is the one who gets elected and reelected on the basis of how well he represents his constituency on the various issues with which he is confronted. Nevertheless, all Congressman need help in dealing with the vast plethora of problems. It is the Congressman's staff that supply that help. Educating the staff may be as significant as educating the Congressman—and staffers can usually give you more time than the Congressman can.
Recognize that when the Congressman votes contrary to your urging, it won't be because he is ignorant or uninformed. Perhaps his philosophical priorities are different than yours, and, of course, it may be that political considerations dictate a certain vote. That is not always easy f
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