Democrats Abroad Congressional Visit
Posted on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 in the News category.Sandy Mansson and Carol Adamson recently returned from the 3rd Annual Democrats Abroad Congressional Visit (Door Knock) in Washington. This is one way we let our elected representatives know about the issues affecting us as Americans living overseas. This effort was coupled with a three-day conference where we hammered out resolutions on issues that directly impact us as citizens abroad.
More than 50 members from 25 Democrats Abroad Country Committees participated in the door knock. On the first day we met at the Democratic National Committee, divided into small groups, and fanned out to the Senate and House office buildings to leave our verbal messages and bookmarks with the personnel in each office. (Once through security we canvassed the offices methodically.) In some cases we had scheduled meetings where we could present our issues to legislative assistants as we sat around a table. In order to use this time effectively we decided among ourselves who would speak on which issues.
Among the issues that gained interested attention from legislators was improvement in absentee voting procedures. That issue is already before Congress.
If you want to know more about this year’s Democrats Abroad Conference and Door Knock, click here to download and read Carol’s report and here to download and read Sandy’s reports (a ZIP file).
Above all, consider applying to attend a conference or Door Knock yourself! The next conference will be in Florence, Italy, in early Spring 2010. The Door Knock occurs every year, in Washington. Watch our website and e-mails for further information regarding dates and application procedures!