Government Relations Advocacy
It is with great excitement we announce the Eagles are once again working in government
relations to make a difference in our country’s history. The Eagles have a long
and distinguished history of helping to
improve the lives of American families, children, and workers by helping to shape
US government policies. Social Security, old age pensions, and Medicare are just
some of the areas where the Eagles’ past work to shape laws have benefited millions
of our fellow Americans. But much remains to be done.
President Obama and the leaders in Congress have indicated that they intend to move
quickly on a variety of pressing issues, including several issues that are top priorities
for Eagles.
Lobby Day
The Eagles’ Government Relations program took a great stride
forward in early June when a group of Eagles from the Grand Aerie and Auxiliary
traveled to Washington, DC to participate in a day of advocacy on
Capitol Hill.
A dozen Eagles and Auxiliary spent the day at the U.S.
Capitol visiting their Members of Congress and Senators and urging their
support for three pressing legislative issues:
- Passage of the Children’s Access to Reconstructive Evaluation and Surgery (CARES)
Act, which would require insurance companies to pay for reconstructive surgery for children
born with birth defects
- The long term stability of the Social
Security System, base on its original founding principles
- Universal
health coverage for all American
Children
The Eagles’ Government Relations program continues to grow
in its ability to influence our elected leaders to focus attention on important
issues that affect children, families, and the elderly.
Grassroots Efforts
Our grassroots outreach efforts for the Social Security Act and Universal Healthcare
for Children are still being determined pending which initiatives President Obama
and Congressional leaders act on first. However we have developed the below petitions
for all members to sign; which will allow us to share our voice with President Obama
and Congressional leaders. If you would like to pass a petition around your Aerie
or an upcoming event, please send a note to governmentrelations@foe.com.
We will again be implementing a postcard campaign for the CARES Act. Because at
this point in time the Act has only been introduced in the House (not yet in the
Senate) the campaign will only include postcards for State Representatives.
Postcard Campaign
Online Petitions
Aeries and/or Auxiliaries Celebrating 100 Year Anniversaries
To celebrate and support Aeries and/or Auxiliaries turning 100 in 2009, we will
request congratulatory letters from their respective legislators. Not every request
will be granted however all Aerie and/or Auxiliary secretaries of 100 anniversary
locations will be contacted to provide some background information on the Aerie
and/or Auxiliary to support the request for a congratulatory letter.
For more information on anything related to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Government
Relations initiatives, please contact governmentrelations@foe.com.