By Holly Burkhalter, Vice President for Government Relations

In the years I worked for Congress, I always looked forward to August. Congress adjourned and the Members and Senators left for their states and districts, or for foreign travel. It was too hot for tourists, and there were no lines in the Congressional cafeteria. The dress was casual and the days were short.

Here at IJM's Government Relations Department, August was anything but lazy! Several months ago, we invited our IJM friends around the U.S. to visit their members of Congress and senators (or their staff) when they were home during the August recess. To our amazement, over six hundred IJM friends from 45 states said “Yes!” That is an extraordinary commitment from busy people. They didn’t just agree to sign a letter or a postcard. They agreed to drop what they are doing, take time away from jobs or duties at home and visit the local office of their member of Congress. Most of them had never had a meeting with a legislator before.

Our Justice Campaign team, led by Eileen Campbell, swung into action to secure meetings for our friends. We grouped folks from the same Congressional district together, and put out requests to 250 Congressional offices. We learned that it sometimes takes one or two emails, faxes and phone calls to secure a meeting, and other times it takes ten or twelve! Eileen and IJM staffers Erica Boonstra and Teresa Lewis have literally made hundreds of requests.

The purpose of our in-district meeting effort this August is to members of Congress to hear from their own constituents about the need for more resources to combat modern day slavery. IJM and our friends are helping gain Congressional co-sponsors for legislation that was introduced in June, the Child Protection Compact Act (H.R.2737). The more members of Congress who co-sponsor the legislation, the more likely it will be taken up in the Foreign Affairs Committee and work its way to the House floor for a vote.

At the time of this writing, we have secured over 150 in-District meetings with legislators or their staff. We’re getting wonderful feedback from our friends. Margaret Furnas from Ohio (pictured right with fellow Ohioans Randy Furnas, Peg Furnas, Angela Tutulo and Paula DiSanto) wrote to tell us about her meeting with Dino DiSanto, a staff member with Congressman LaTourette. She told us that it was a wonderful meeting, and that Mr. DiSanto was especially grateful that she and her team took time to thank him and the Congressman for supporting anti-trafficking and anti-slavery policies. He noted that they rarely get thanked!

Another group visited with Congressman Roskam of Illinois. He told them that he was already planning on supporting H.R.2737 when it came before the full House for a vote, but because his constituents visited him, he is now going to co-sponsor it.

IJM friend Jamie Kuiper from Michigan visited Rep. Vernon Ehlers, and reported the following: “The proposed funding roughly doubles the previous commitment. It is a tough year, and our representatives face a lot of tough choices, so I was unsure of what to expect. Late yesterday afternoon, prior to my meeting with the congressman this morning, I learned that Rep. Ehlers had added his name to the list of co-sponsors. He didn't need me to convince him…he was already on board. So, my meeting with him this morning turned into an opportunity to simply say ‘Thank you’ for aiding in the fight for justice for these innocent children. Since Representative Ehlers graciously offered to meet with me in person, I was able to do so in person.” One of our favorite notes came from an IJM friend stationed in Okinawa Japan. Jim Pleuss met with his member of Congress when he was back in the States to attend a wedding and has really been seized with the vision of what the Child Protection Compact Act could do, if enacted. He wrote to tell us that he and his pastor, Rev. Mark Oshman, are collecting 1,500 – 2,000 letters and postcards in support of the bill. We love you Jim! Stay safe!

We at IJM’s Justice Campaigns are so thrilled when we get notes back from our friends describing their visits with members of Congress or staff. I am an old hand at dealing with Congress, but the meetings I can generate in Washington are nowhere near as effective as when people from a member’s own state or Congressional district meet to talk about trafficking and slavery. When I follow up afterward, the way has been paved.

Keep us posted on your experiences, and we’ll keep in touch about ours. Between us, we’re going to get something important done at the State Department that will generate more funding and enhanced diplomatic tools to help countries stop the trade in children. Bless you for being part of Justice Campaigns.