As plans unfold for the daylong event you can start right now by signing up to attend.  Please send an email to blair@awionline.org telling us if you plan on attending.  Feel free to email if you have any questions.

Then follow these steps:

1. Visit AWI’s Compassion Index to find your US Representative and two US Senators.  Enter your zip code and hit go.
2. Call their offices and ask to speak with their animal staffer, let them know you are a constituent. Schedule a meeting on July 14^th between 10 am and 4 pm. You will be scheduling a total of three meetings (one in US House, two in US Senate). You can ask to meet with your legislator, as well, but meeting with the animal staffer is very beneficial. Questions about calling Capitol Hill?  Click here.
3. After you set your meetings, come back to AWI’s Compassion Index and fill out the form with your meeting information.  This will help us both coordinate your meetings and follow up after you leave.  We will provide specific information (brochures, fact sheets, etc…) that will help in your meetings.
4. Send this email to everyone you know and ask them to join us in Washington, DC on July 14^th for America’s horses.
5. Make your travel plans (see below) to join us on Capitol Hill.  DC is a great summer destination.  There are lots of things to do.

If you have any questions please email Blair at blair@awionline.org.  We look forward to seeing you all on July 14^th.  Be sure to bookmark http://www.horsesonthehill.org and check back often for updates and new information.

SCHEDULE UPDATE: (07/2/2009)

10am Breakfast Briefing - Senator Mary Landrieu will present an update on the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act.  Legislative staff will also be available for questions. Location:  485 Russell Senate Office Building.

 

TRAVEL INFORMATION:

Airports:

Three major airports service the Washington, DC area (Reagan Washington International, Dulles International and Baltimore Washington International).  Prices to each vary so please look for the best deal and consider the following issues.

Reagan Washington International Airport - located across the Potomac river from Washington, DC.  Metro lines run right in front of the airport offering quick and easy access to the city which is just minutes away.  Also serviced by busses and taxi cabs.

Dulles International Airport - located outside of the Washington, DC beltway and about 30-45 minutes from downtown Washington, DC.  Serviced by busses and taxi cabs.

Baltimore Washington International Airport - located near the city of Baltimore, about 45 minutes from downtown Washington, DC.  Serviced by busses, taxi cabs and a train to Union Station in Washington, DC.

HOTELS:

Washington, DC is very busy during the summer.  Look into booking your hotel as soon as possible.  Good rates can be found in and out of the city.  Look for hotels with easy access to public transportation and make sure you were pay attention to the distance to the US Capitol. Here is a link to some hotels close to the US Capitol, but feel free to look for better prices.  Other online booking services to consider are expedia.com, orbitz.com, priceline.com and hotels.com

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

Washington, DC is serviced by a reliable bus and metro line.  Several stops are very close to the US Capitol making your trip very easy.

The Blue line, South Capitol Street exit, drops you office right behind the Cannon House Office Building.

The Red line, Union Station exit, drops you office one block from the Senate office buildings.

US CAPITOL:

The US Capitol is the highest point in Washington, DC and easy to find.  Your meetings will be in the House and Senate office buildings which are located on each side of the US Capitol.  House office buildings are called Rayburn, Longworth and Cannon.  Senate office buildings are called Russell, Dirksen and Hart.  Here is a great map showing you the layout of the US Capitol and surrounding office buildings.