Lobbying in Jefferson City

Entering the chartered coach behind the Wheeler building on SBU campus, sixty DPT students joined the world of political activism for the physical therapy profession. Students running for name tags and coffee and iPods at the last minute was the norm as the bus readied to leave. Once we arrived on the Capitol grounds, a quick unloading was immediately followed by visits to legislator's offices. Representative Mike Parsons (R-133) from Bolvar, MO introduced the SBU delegation from the floor of the house chambers. Pizza was eaten at lunch on the steps under the rotunda and the history and splendor of the Missouri Capitol was taken in by all. While the stairs were a challenge and many students discussed the growing fatigue, a meeting in Committee Hearing Room #4 led by Rep. Mike Parsons, Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-139), and Senator Delbert Scott (R-28) found a well deserved respite and educational lesson. Topics were discussed from protecting the physical therapy practice act, to participating in the political process, to the role of lobbyists in the political information chain, and ending with how quality staffers support the legislators. After a quick picture with Thomas Jefferson, as promised, the bus squeezed into a nook besides the Highland Dairy permitting access to tasty refreshments of the chocolate, vanilla, and cookie-dough variety. One student brought back a sugar cone topped with three scoops of a colored ice cream that matched her shirt.

I am most proud of how the SBU delegation represented the University, the Department, and the profession. I am looking forward to the bus arriving behind the Wheeler building once more in the Spring of 2009.

Together with you in His service,

slesh