A quote I recently read about Congress I found fascinating. Brock Fiant, whoever he is, said this: “Most people know more about their congressmen via smear campaigns than they know about their neighbor via conversations, and a lot of people know more about Britney Spears via tabloids that they do about their own congressmen via voting booklets. Does anyone else see the problem here?” The guy may be invisible, but he's dead on, indeed! While in Washington for the Microsoft Partner Conference, I was afforded the opportunity few get to remedy that.
The Microsoft Governmental team organized a unique program for the week called “Connect with Congress.” Attendees were allowed to apply for the chance to take a meeting with their local Congressman or Congresswoman and advocate for their business or their area. After several layers of screening including an essay, questionnaire and follow-up interviews, I was selected to be one of the chosen few. I was informed I was going to be able to sit with Pennsylvania's Sixth District Representative
Jim Gerlach. After my excitement subsided, I realized that I had a whole lot of preparation to do! So I hit what any tech savvy person would do; I hit the Internet and rousted up a Bing search. And, as usual, Bing gave me context before I clicked on a link so I could narrow my search faster of course! And I found that Mr. Gerlach has been an active and productive member on the side of small business and the environment. I was looking forward to getting a few minutes to talk with him.
When I arrived at the Cannon Office Building on the day of the meeting, I was floored by the atmosphere and the grandeur of the place. And the beehive of activity that takes place in every nook and cranny. And this is just the building that houses their
offices! So you know that the actual Capital building across the street must be even crazier. Upon entering the Congressman's office, the activity barely slowed at all as staffers busily worked the phones and did paperwork. When he arrived, Mr. Gerlach amiably ushered me into his spacious private office, along with his executive assistant Katlyn. In the 15 minutes we spoke, we covered ground on a lot of fronts, even an unusual personal connection to my alma mater, the University of California. Small world, eh?
We had great discussions surrounding the main reason for my visit - the preservation of small business and the role technology is and will continue to play in the economic recovery. We especially targeted the Sixth District of course, and expanded into the serious issues surrounding transportation infrastructure. This has been something I've long had an interest in as well, from having to sit in traffic on Route 422 every morning, to the opening up of the long-proposed Schuylkill Valley Metro rail link from King of Prussia out to Reading, including major growth centers along the route like Phoenixville, Pottstown and Exeter.
After the alloted 15 minutes flew by, Congressman Gerlach apologized for not having more time, as he was being called away to the chambers for a vote. I thanked him, and as he walked to the door I again noticed a limp. He then said he'd had minor knee surgery only five days previously! Under those circumstances, I would have understood his not being able to keep the meeting, but it shows a lot about the man still wanting to make the effort for something that at the end of the day wasn't critical to the issues facing Congress today. As he left, he thanked
ME for taking the time to meet with him, and had Katlyn give me the synopsis of the latest legislation they are working on in committee to help bolster the recovery for small business and more. It was clear at this point, from the congenial staff right to the Congressman himself, that this is the definition of what "public servant" should be. And I'm proud to support Congressman Gerlach's continued efforts for the district and the welfare of us all.
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