Student branch visits our nation's capital.

The 2006 NRPA National Forum on Parks and Recreation was a huge success for the Student Branch. Twenty branch board members joined faculty and professionals from California, Colorado, Virginia, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin to advocate on Capitol Hill. This experience was especially exciting for newly elected student board members, some of whom had not had the opportunity to visit in the past. For those students who had previously advocated with NRPA, this was an opportunity to hone their skills and become more involved in park and recreation legislation.

Two students from Clemson University met with the South Carolina delegates, and were given a personal tour of the Capitol building by a staff person from Rep. Bob Inglis' (R-S.C.) office. The Clemson delegates were able to observe debates on the floor, visit one of the original rooms for the Supreme Court, and view John Quincy Adams' famous whispering room. During the day, all nine delegates from South Carolina were able to visit the offices of both South Carolina senators and all six congressmen in order to brief their staff on the issues facing park and recreation professionals.

Another Student Branch Board member who met with delegates from her home state of Iowa found the staff in Sen. Tom Harkin's (D-Iowa) office to be extremely receptive and supportive of NRPA's platform. The Texas delegation brought together graduate students and a professor from Texas A&M, graduate students from the University of Illinois and professionals from the Austin area and surrounding counties. Members of this delegation met with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) as well as staff from many congressional and senatorial offices.

One delegate recalled, "It was a really useful experience because we were able to go to Washington, D.C., and talk to our representatives about the issues that we research and put into practice every day."

The Student Branch Board would like to thank all those who purchased items at the Silent Auction. This year was our most successful auction yet as we were able to raise more than $2,000 to help defray the costs of Student Branch activities and travel.