|
On November 13 – 16, 2008, 203 Friends from 39 states traveled to Washington, DC to participate in FCNL’s Annual Meeting, held at Georgetown University Conference Center. This meeting was special since it was FCNL’s 65th Birthday and titled “Friends Witness for Change on Capitol Hill.”
Representatives from Albany NY Friends Meeting, Pat Beetle, Sue Clark, Julia Richards and Barbara Spring were present. Our trip down was especially exciting, given the new energy that had risen by the recent election of the 1st African American President-Elect Barack Obama, and significant changes to Congress. It was quite clear, that the mood of America was hope and change.
Given the hope for change, and to reach out to FCNL’s participants, the conference program featured a statue of Franklin Delano Roosevelt with his famous quote, “You’ve elected me; now organize a movement to make me do what you want.” With Roosevelt’s quote in mind, it was a great way to start off the first day of the meeting, which highlighted a truly special interview with Helen Thomas, veteran White House journalist, by Joe Volk, FCNL’s Executive Secretary. Being a member of the White House press corp since 1961, it was frequently stated that she is the “First Lady of the Press.” Ms. Thomas is well known for her tough questions. One example was when she bluntly asked George W. Bush "Why did you really want to go to war?" Our first laugh was during Joe Volk’s introduction when he quoted the World Almanac saying she is “One of the 25 most influential women.” Ms. Thomas replied, “Don’t Believe it!” The audience howeled! At that moment, we all knew we were in for a treat
.
The second day of the conference continued its high energy on redrafting and finalizing FCNL’s legislative priorities for the 111th Congress. Participants broke up into small groups to review and discuss further. The final priorities were subsequently approved with careful, line-by-line consideration. I was amazed at the process and how worship sharing, silence and careful consideration took place for each and every change suggested and/or made to the priorities. The opportunity to participate in such a beautiful and caring process was a priviledge I’ll never forget.
Just prior to sitting for an evening’s dinner, Friends presented the Edward F. Snyder Award for National Legislative Leadership to U.S. Congressman, Wayne Gilchrest who served Maryland’s 1st District. His willingness to champion issues and vote his conscience regardless of party affiliation has earned him respect from both sides of the political spectrum. He continues to be a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility and environmental protection. Rep. Gilchrest spoke about his concerns for succeeding generations. He believed education for children was the most important and that the school’s basic curriculum should be based around ecology, with the basic understanding of science and nature’s design. He’s most concerned that if future generations don’t understand the importance of nature to human life, they will not have it to experience, as we do today. After being asked what his most favorite quote was, the Congressman recited Alfred Joyce Kilmer’s famous poem:
"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth’s slowing breast
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to prey
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robbins in her hair
Upon whose bosom snow has lain
Who intimately lives with rain
Poems are made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree.”
Friends recognized the reasons why FCNL presented this very important award.
That same evening, Friends listened to a presentation entitled “Imagine the Future: Prospects for Negotiations with Iran,” by Barbara Slavin, diplomatic reporter and Assistant Managing Editor of the World and National Security of The Washington Times. Ms. Slavin spoke of the political climate in Iran and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s relations with the U.S. and other nations. She spoke of the last ten years of missed opportunities for reconciliation and cooperation under the Clinton and Bush Administrations and her concerns over increased U.S. sanctions and embargos that would threaten the chance for further negotiations. She is hopeful that President-Elect Barack Obama will be more open to further talks with President Ahmadinejad over the next year.
The 3rd and 4th day of the meeting, Friends worship shared, and participated in a Meeting for business with final review and approval of the Priorities. As Albany Friends Meeting’s contact for FCNL, I was especially appreciative of the many suggestions and tips for civic and legislative outreach. I was especially thankful to have the opportunity to meet and be with so many talented professionals whose lives are solely committed to building peace throughout the world.
FCNL’s staff and appointed members of the General Committee gave us the tools to lobby for our issues. Now, we’ll use our energy to build the bridges for peace.
Julia G. Richards
|
