Featured Articles:
A Close Inspection of the 111th Congress
By Gina Luke, Assistant Director of the GRD
An estimated 123 million citizens voted in the November 2008 elections, and their votes resulted in a Democrat winning the White House and many changes on Capitol Hill. Among the highlights for the AVMA are the elections of Kurt Schrader, a veterinarian who will represent Oregon's fifth district in the U.S. House of Representatives, and former U.S.D.A Secretary Mike Johanns, who will represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate.
Underscoring the importance of veterinarians being actively involved in grassroots advocacy programs, both the AVMA's and the state VMAs', is the fact that 61% of the members of the 111th Congress held prior elected office as governors, lieutenant governors, state legislators and mayors. Additionally, 23% of Members were congressional staff on Capitol Hill and/or fellows on the Hill, the White House or in executive branch agencies.
There are 541 Members in the 111th Congress that hail from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Among them are 262 Democrats (including five Delegates and one Resident Commissioner), 178 Republicans and one vacancy in the House of Representatives and 56 Democrats, two Independents, and 41 Republicans in the Senate. Senate Democrats will likely More »
Inauguration Day and the New Administration
By Dr. Angela Demaree, Assistant Director of the GRD
January has been a flurry of activity as a record 1.8 million visitors descended upon Washington, D.C. for the historic inauguration of our 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. The Inaugural weekend kicked off with the President-elect's train tour , from Philadelphia to D.C. , reminiscent of President Lincoln's arrival in Washington many decades ago. Next up was the "We Are One" Concert at the Lincoln Memorial-what an experience!
Then, Inauguration Day; I count myself among the lucky few who made it through the tight security along the parade route. The temperature had dropped to the 20's for most of the day, and I decided to attend an office party overlooking the parade route in lieu of joining friends on the Mall. Little did I know that it was More »
AVMAPAC Thanks Donors, Reports Progress
For the first time this year, AVMAPAC published electronically the Honor Roll of Donors on the AVMA website. The Honor Roll of Donors is part of the 2008 AVMAPAC Biennial Report – 110th Congress, which highlights the progress we made in advancing our legislative agenda and recognizes those who helped make the 2008 election cycle a success. We encourage everyone to view the report and thank your colleagues who helped make 2008 a record breaking fundraising year.
During the 2008 election cycle, AVMAPAC raised more than $580,000. Because of your contributions to AVMAPAC, we were able to contribute more than $400,000 to 145 campaigns. Due to the AVMAPAC Policy Board's diligence, those funds were invested in candidates who will work with AVMA to preserve the future viability of the veterinary profession, and 87% of these More »
Regulatory Update:
EPA Seeks to Provide New Option for Regulated Pharmaceutical Waste Management
By Dr. Lynne White-Shim, Assistant Director, Scientific Activities Division
In the Dec 2, 2008 Federal Register, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intent to amend the Universal Waste Rule. The EPA announced that its proposed rule would facilitate better management of pharmaceutical wastes by streamlining generator requirements and encouraging generators of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes to manage them under the provisions of the Universal Waste Rule.
Currently, hazardous pharmaceutical wastes from facilities remain regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Under this proposal, depending on state rules, facilities may choose to continue managing hazardous pharmaceutical wastes under the RCRA regulations, or they may opt to manage hazardous pharmaceutical wastes as "universal wastes." The Universal Waste Rule modified the RCRA's hazardous waste regulations by establishing a set of streamlined requirements for the collection of certain widely dispersed hazardous wastes, called "universal wastes."
Several AVMA committees and councils evaluated the More »
Opportunities:
2009 Fellowship Applications Due Next Friday
The AVMA is now accepting applications for 2009-2010 AVMA Congressional Science and Executive Branch Fellowships, but hurry, because the application deadline is next Friday, February 12. The AVMA Fellowship Program offers veterinarians the opportunity to spend a year in Washington, D.C., working in the federal government as a scientific resource. The Fellowships are intended to help veterinarians garner a better understanding of the governmental process, gain insight into the future of science and the veterinary profession, while at same time assisting in creating the legislation and regulations that affect our nation and profession. Learn more.
Wanted: All-Star Advocates
All-Star Advocates are the AVMA's liaison in Congressional Districts. What does that mean? It means that you are the point person the AVMA and Congress will turn to for advice, advocacy and leadership in your very own community. You will work with other veterinarians in your district to develop strong relationships with your legislators and help the AVMA advance our legislative agenda. Sound daunting? Don't worry, we'll train you and help you every step of the way. For more information, e-mail avmacan@avma.org.
Join us on Facebook
Join the hundreds of supporters of the Congressional Advocacy Network (AVMA-CAN) – including hundreds of people not affiliated with the veterinary profession – on the popular social networking site Facebook! AVMA-CAN now has a Facebook page and a Facebook group. Both are used to help grow the network and amplify AVMA's advocacy efforts. Action alerts and information on pending legislation can be found there. Both are open to all Facebook users, so we encourage you, your family and friends to join our group to help advance the profession of veterinary medicine. Find AVMA-CAN's Facebook group here and the page here.
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Are you a member of the AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network (AVMA-CAN)?
To ensure you receive The AVMA Advocate and other vital advocacy information, join AVMA-CAN today. To join our team, send an email to avmacan@avma.org. |
| DC Scoop |
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Did you know that... President Obama has narrowed the search for a puppy for his daughters, Malia and Sasha, to two potential breeds: Labradoodle and Portuguese Water Dog.
Senator Ted Kennedy is the proud owner of three Portuguese Water Dogs, one of which, Splash, helped write the book My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eyed View of Washington, D.C. Senator Kennedy said in a written statement: "A Portuguese water dog is the perfect choice for First Dog... They're loyal, smart, loving and they became a real part of the family. And they definitely do not shed."
Even though Senator Kennedy is lobbying on behalf of Portuguese Water Dogs, don't count the Labradoodle out just yet – the breed has an influential ally of their own. Vice President Joseph Biden's family includes a beloved Labradoodle named Brother. It's unknown at this time what Vice President Biden has been doing behind-the-scenes to advance the cause of the Labradoodles. We'll keep you posted!
Speaking of Presidential Pets... Last December, the sad news came out that First Cat during the Clinton Administration, Socks, was diagnosed with cancer and isn't expected to live much longer. Socks, 19, has become gravely ill, experiencing weight loss and kidney problems.
After the Clintons left the White House in 2001, Socks went to live with Bill Clintons' secretary, Betty Curry, in suburban Maryland.
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