House/Senate Meeting
« Previous Entries“Laws Don’t Matter”
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013Believe it or not, I thought laws didn’t matter for about 67% of my life. I mean, I got that it was illegal if I steal your donut, or punch a cat, or murder someone. It was more that I thought that any federal legislation was well outside the realm of what affected me on [...]
A Day in the Life of a GRD Extern
Friday, April 5th, 2013The title is a slight misnomer, given that no two days at GRD are the same, but for students interested in the program, I thought this was a good example of a day showing the breadth of opportunities doing this externship can afford you. 6:30 AM – Woke up. Hit snooze. 6:38 AM – Woke [...]
Veterinary Students Charge Capitol Hill With a Mission
Thursday, March 7th, 2013Sixty-five veterinary students from around the country gathered this week in Washington, D.C., to let their elected officials know about important legislative issues that impact the veterinary industry. The two-day student fly-in, hosted by AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division, taught the students how to effectively hold briefings with congressional staff and gave them an inside look [...]
Another Busy Week!
Friday, July 27th, 2012Again, I can’t believe that another week is over! The later part of this week has been especially fun because I was able to get into the offices of Senator John McCain (from my home state of Arizona), and Representative Martha Roby (from my local state of Alabama) to advocate for the AVMA. I decided [...]
Tick Tock, Crazy Clocks
Thursday, June 21st, 2012So picture this: I’m walking down the halls of Ford House Office Building to attend a meeting at the Committee on Homeland Security when all of a sudden I hear the loudest, most obnoxious fog horn sound throughout the entire building (so I may be exaggerating a little, but it was loud!). My elementary school [...]
Heels to Handshakes
Wednesday, June 20th, 2012I must catch you all up to date on all that I have been doing since my first week. Man, if there is one thing that I have learned from my time here in DC, it’s this: do everything, be everywhere, always say yes to things because you will wind up experience something very special. [...]
Southerner in the City
Thursday, June 14th, 2012Hello all! My name is Elise Ackley and I am a third year veterinary student at Louisiana State University, where I am tracking public practice. For those of you who know me, you know that aside from veterinary medicine, political affairs are my life. I eat, sleep, breathe, and (to the chagrin of my boyfriend) [...]
An Advocate’s Work is Never Done
Thursday, May 24th, 2012Up to this point, I’ve indulged in expressing the joys of being in DC. However, as I near the completion of my externship, I want to provide a better update on the legislative issues I’ve been advocating. Since this is appropriation season, I’ve spoken to every Congressional legislative assistant about the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment [...]
Week Three Already!
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011It’s hard to believe I’m already in my third and final week of the AVMA-GRD externship. It has been an amazing experience and one that I strongly recommend to all veterinary students before they graduate (or at the very least participate in the annual SAVMA Lobby Day). The week has gotten off to a fast [...]
Thanksgiving, Don’t Wait for the Holiday!
Monday, October 25th, 2010Last week I met with staff in the offices of Senator Grassley and Congressman Latham, my elected officials from Iowa. Both are and continue to be big supporters of veterinary medicine and livestock. So many times we only contact people when we need or want something for ourselves or those close to us. Often we [...]
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