Ducks Unlimited volunteers, members and staff visited the "halls of power" for a pre-convention tour on May 21, 2008. Those who made the short trip from Baltimore, Md., were pleased with the attitudes and warm welcome they received by their representatives.
"I thought our trip to Capitol Hill was one of the best days I've spent as a DU volunteer and I've been at it for 25 years," said Bruce Deadman, regional vice president of Wisconsin and Illinois DU. "The opportunity to meet with nine senators, staff and representatives and have some frank discussions on a basis like that shows the respect we're given as an organization."
The tour left the Marriott Waterfront around 9 a.m. and returned at 4:30 p.m., and the consensus across the board was that it was a great experience. Members were able to enjoy face-to-face interaction with the individuals who are working in Washington D.C. in support of DU's habitat conservation mission.
"It was an outstanding day," said Steve Humphries, Idaho district chairman, who visited "the hill" with his wife Liz, who sits on the Idaho state art council. "I relished the opportunity to this and it was exciting."
The Humphries' had met their local representative, Sen. (R) Mike Crapo a while back at an awards ceremony, but they were ecstatic about being able to talk with him one on one about the issues facing habitat conservation and the needs of DU members in Idaho.
"It was great to be able to see the people who are work ing for waterfowl conservation in D.C.," Liz Humphries explained. "We really enjoyed ourselves."
After a luncheon and an extensive tour, DU members left Capitol Hill feeling good about the DU presence in the nation's capital.
"It was especially gratifying to see representatives from both parties come together and meet with DU," Deadman said. "That stresses the bipartisan nature and what they're trying to do with us."