In Fiscal Year 1997, the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council (RAC/Council) formed a Legislative Committee to address state and federal rehabilitation issues. Pennsylvania's proximity to Washington, D.C. afforded several opportunities to meet personally with members of Congress.

The Council formed a 10 person advocacy group which met in March with members of the Pennsylvania Delegation to Congress, as well as Representative Dick Armey's staff to discuss the importance of Reauthorization of the Act and the need to maintain a unique identity within workforce development initiatives. Members of the group were drawn from RAC membership, OVR staff and the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. The meeting with Representative William Goodling was particularly valuable. We were able to speak at length with the Congressman. He included his own staff and a House Intern assigned to the Act in our meeting. The RAC continues to communicate with these contacts on a regular basis.

Committee members also created links with advocacy groups based in Washington. These resources maintained a constant flow of information and allowed the RAC additional opportunities to advocate as the Bill progressed through the House.

In October members returned to the Capital to meet with staff from Senators Arlen Specter, Rick Santorum, and Slade Gorton's offices concerning the need to rescind the Gorton Amendment to the Labor/Health & Human Services/Education Appropriations Bill.

From left to right Brad Hoffman (staff), Christina Clementi, Steve Pennington, Virginia Leonard, Harlow Flory (PARF), Judith Jobes, Carol Baker, and Nowell Smith