First Year Metrics: In my first 12 months as an advocate for LEAP on the Hill, I made about 520 presentations. I chatted with 8 Congressman for 1-5 minutes + 3 or 4 elevator 20 second chats. I had about 8 staffers treat me rudely or dismissively or just over 1 per cent. I had dozens express happy amazement that law enforcement had a voice for change in Washington. I had to resole my Sunday cowboy boots from all the walking. No initiatives or ideas I have introduced in this town have made it to the President’s desk. However, I hope, trust and believe I have laid the groundwork & sown the seeds for future success.
Help me by writing a letter: As I start my second year, I could use your help. I will be not making as many formal presentations (silly to do it twice). Rather, I will be dropping in to chat with the aide I met earlier to give updates, etc. If I had your letter to hand deliver, that would be helpful. I will write a sample letter at the end of this newsletter. Send it to my address and I will put it in my briefcase.
Strict, new rules on gifts: Two weeks ago Senator Testor (D-Montana) nodded at me while passing in the Senate cafeteria (it was the hat). I had just met with his aide and while waiting, I saw a photo of him on a horse. I stopped by this week to give him and his staff a copy of Misty’s book (wholesale value: $9.26). It was a no go. The new rules on gifts, meals etc are in effect and NO gifts are allowed. Shucks. However, overall a good thing.
Tis the Season: I hope you have enjoyed these stories of Howard on the Hill. It has been an exciting, rewarding year on so many levels. You should know that one American mom heard of LEAP ’s need to have a voice in the nation’s capital. She answered that call with a single donation, which covers my presence. We have dozens of speakers in the USA who are often unable to speak to a Rotary or Kiwanis club because LEAP lacks the funds to put them in front of 25-100 community leaders. Even as they are unpaid, we do give them money for gas, motels when needed etc. I hope you will think of making a tax-deductible gift in December to help us get the message out. Thank you.
Sample Letter: (note: if you want to know the name of the aide to make it more personal, let me know)
Dear Senator XXX,
I am a member of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) and believe that our War on Drugs has been a disaster for both the country and its citizens. Recently, one of your aides met Howard Wooldridge, a retired police detective who represents LEAP on Capitol Hill.
In the century of 9/11 and limited resources it is irresponsible to waste precious police resources on people who would be best served by the medical community. After 36 years of effort and the police spending a trillion tax dollars, the situation is worse! Drugs are cheaper, stronger and much easier to buy. Moreover, drug prohibition has been the most dysfunctional, immoral policy since slavery.
I hope we can agree that it past time to become SMART on drugs. I also hope you could meet for a few minutes with Howard Wooldridge who can articulate my position.
Sincerely,
Howard can be reached at:
Wooldridge@leap.cc
(email Howard for mailing address for your letter)
