The end of the NCSL Annual Summit is fast approaching, and yet it feels like we just got here. Our collection of business cards, names, email addresses and positions is ever growing, and it’s both exhausting and exhilarating thinking about the amount of work to do once we all are back home.
The San Antonio Host Committee put on quite the show today as a reminder to legislators and exhibitors alike that everything is bigger in Texas. While we’re still in the thick of the Louisville convention, excitement is building for next year’s demonstration and booth at the 2011 San Antonio Adoptee Rights Demonstration to be held next year.
The fantastic music from ‘Asleep at the Wheel’ during the San Antonio BBQ Luncheon made conversation difficult at times, but we still were able to have many productive conversations with legislators. As our booth was strategically located directly in front of the setup for the legislator’s lunch, we took advantage of our position to turn our table to face them, so they had a clear unobstructed view of the one thing we want: Equal Access – Equal Rights.
Our favorite quote of the day: “Kentucky is ripe for this type of bill”, overheard from two KY Representatives after their upbeat and positive conversation with Paula Benoit over the benefits to Maine from LD1084.
Not everything is upbeat and positive with all legislators, however. In spite of statistics, photocopies, history from equal access states and personal stories from mothers of adoption loss inside the booth, myths and misconceptions still run rampant in the halls of our state capitols. And our least favorite quote of the day: “I’ve never heard about this from any of my constituents.”
Now more than ever it is vitally important that our elected officials are reminded that we the people believe in equality for all. While our letter writing campaign has ended for this year, it’s never too late to write, call or visit your own representative. The more they hear from us, the less they can dismiss our unequal treatment.
Tomorrow closes out the booth. We’ll be shipping everything back to storage and starting our wrap-up of the 2010 Adoptee Rights Demonstration. With the rush of travel back home, there most likely won’t be time to get a Day Three Booth Report written, so this post ends the reporting from Louisville. Thank you again for coming along for the ride, whether you traveled cross country to get here, or followed us from your home state.
We are encouraged by the positive reception our booth had, and the number of legislators who were impressed that a small grassroots group such as ours has made a commitment to attend their Summit.
We made a loud noise in Kentucky – now make a loud noise right where you are. Pick up the phone, or drop them a note – they need to hear from you. Just remember, it’s
Your Rights — Your Voice — Your Protest
Tags: Adoptee · Adoptee Rights Demonstration · Adoptee Rights Protest · Adoption · adoption records · Kentucky · Louisville · National Conference of State Legislatures · NCSL3 Comments
