NFFN’s Washington Action Day for LIHEAP |
Washington Action Day for LIHEAP, January 30, 2008
was a great lobbying success!
This year’s Washington Action Day for LIHEAP proved to be the largest and most successful demonstration of grass roots support for the federal energy assistance program in the six year history of the event.
More than 180 NFFN members and LIHEAP supporters came to Washington to take part an event that has come to serve as the kick-off for lobbying on behalf of this vital and effective federal program.
As Action Day participants fanned out over Capitol Hill, where more than 250 Congressional offices were visited, they found themselves in the middle of the action as Senators tried to add additional funds for LIHEAP to the economic stimulus package.
The importance of Action Day was immediately underscored as NFFN members met with their congressional 
delegations and worked to get their Senators to support amendments to include more funding for LIHEAP in the stimulus bill.
Unfortunately, one week later the efforts to add LIHEAP funds to the economic stimulus bill failed when LIHEAP supporters lost a procedural vote by one vote. George Coling, NFFN executive director, said “We lost this time but there will be other opportunities to increase LIHEAP funding. Our members worked hard and were really engaged in the process. This definitely demonstrates the importance of Washington Action Day.”
Action Day began with a breakfast briefing at the American Gas Association headquarters. Participants were provided with documentation to support the NFFN’s position on increased funding for LIHEAP and given a status report on LIHEAP funding legislation before they headed off for their first round of meetings.
At 10 am a group of Senators held a news conference to discuss LIHEAP, and many of the Action Day participants attended. Speaking at the news conference where Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Mark Pryor (D-AR).
Senators Reed and Collins were leading the effort to bring LIHEAP funding for this fiscal year up to the authorized level of $5.2 billion. Senator Sanders was the sponsor of an amendment to add $1 billion in additional funding for LIHEAP for this year.
Also speaking at the news conference was Teresa Carver a LIHEAP recipient from Van Buren, AR, who explained how assistance through LIHEAP had helped her. She explained to the media how a series of unexpected events had left her and her daughter is desperate circumstances.
Ms. Carver told reporters how she had to pawn some of her possessions and still could not keep up with her utility bills and other expenses. Finally she applied for aid from LIHEAP and received a grant that allowed her to keep the power on in her home.
Throughout the afternoon, Action Day participants moved about the halls of Congress urging members to support any move to increase LIHEAP funding. At the end of the day, participants returned to the American Gas Association headquarters, where they reported on their day.
Action Day concluded with a reception attended by several congressional staff members in the Mansfield room at the Capitol. The reception gave Action Day participants another opportunity to press congressional staff members to get their bosses to support increased funding for LIHEAP.
Action Day activities weren’t confined to the nation’s capital.
In Arkansas, Governor Mike Beebe proclaimed January 30 “LIHEAP DAY 2008” and urged Arkansans to recognize “the work and worth of this necessary and humane program.”
In Nebraska, the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area kicked off LIHEAP Action Week, with a press conference at which a dozen area mayors lead by Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey issued a proclamation making February 1 “Heartland Walk for Warmth Day”
The Omaha Public Power District, Aquila, and the Metropolitan Utilities District along with the United Way, the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter and the Salvation Army conducted the event which raised over $125,000 in in-kind donations, sponsorship fees and walker registration fees. The funds will benefit energy assistance programs in the area.
Thank you for working with us to make NFFN’s Washington Action Day for LIHEAP, January 30, 2008 a smashing success.
Photo Gallery 2008 photos coming soon!
View exciting coverage and photos from past Action Days
2008 Toolkit for
NFFN Washington Action Day for LIHEAP on PDF
2008 Washington Action Day Sponsors |
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