rocketry lobbyists report on Sen. Feinstein (D-CA) meeting

05/17/03 00:00:00    

By Michael Mealling

[ by Erik Ebert, reposted with permission ]

On Tuesday, May 13th, members of AeroPac (http://www.aeropac.org) and LUNAR (http://www.lunar.org) met with Micheal Walker, a field representative on Senator FeinsteinÂ’s staff, to discuss Senator EnziÂ’s rocketry exemption bill, S.724. Senator Feinstein is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary committee, so she is obviously a key person to win over to our side. This is my attempt at a report on that meeting.

We covered at a very high level why it incorrect to classify APCP as an explosive. We tried to emphasis the impact of the HSA on the aerospace industry, to tie it into the California economy.

Aeropac vice-president Tony Alcocer went into detail on his odyssey in trying to get a LEUP. Stanford Professor Robert Twiggs covered the ARLISS program(http://www.arliss.org). LUNAR president Jack Hagerty, covered the Team America Rocketry Challenge. Tony mentioned the positive impact involvement with rocketry has had on his son AJ, and that seemed to particularly impress Mr. Walker. Nothing like a first-hand testimonial.

As we were leaving them, we handed him a documentation package with pictures from Team America and ARLISS, the text of the Enzi, bill and Senator Enzi's speech when he introduced the bill, and contact information for ourselves and Senator Enzi.

Our planning notes, a copy of the final presentation, and pictures of rocketeers in suits can be found at:

http://www.eebert.com/Rockets/Feinstein/

ThereÂ’s a detailed post-meeting report at the bottom of that page, but overall, I thought the meeting went very well. The pacing was good, we made good use of our available hour, we covered everything we wanted to cover. Aeropac member Steve Preston led the presentation, and did a great job.

Mr. Walker seemed attentive and interested. He obviously wasn't going to right then and commit to recommending Senator Feinstein support S724, but he did at least say he would look into the issue and talk to “the people back East,“ which is about the best we could expect.

A very positive experience. Thanks to everyone involved!

Erik Ebert, L2

TRA #09105

NAR #79868

[ posted by iz ]