(from right) AIA Houston President Ian Powell and Coulson Tough, FAIA, share one of the Texas Capitol dome cutaway prints from Advocates for Architecture Day with US Rep. Kevin Brady from Texas’ 8th Congressional District.
August 23, 2011
The WoodlandsTexas Society of Architects
Congressman Kevin Brady, of the 8th District, an 11-county area just north and east of Houston, met for an August-recess lunch with architect constituents to discuss HR 940, the Covered Bonds Act, and HR 1356, the Credit Access for Main Street Act. Both bills are aimed at spurring credit availability for business loans to help create jobs and stimulate the economy. (To find out more about the bills, go to http://www.house.gov/ and search by bill number under “Legislative Activity/Bills & Reports.” There you can also find links to contact your Congressional representative to let them know that easing credit is not only good for Texas architects, it’s good for your clients…in Texas and nationally.)
First elected to Congress in 1996, Brady currently serves on the key Ways & Means committee and so he’s in a position to be a significant player in shaping, stopping or advancing both bills. When pressed on his position for the measures, Rep. Brady reacted positively, but said he needed to do additional research before staking out his formal position. We’ll let you know what that is as soon as we hear.
While federal legislation is not the primary focus of either the Society or local Texas AIA chapters, the Society’s David Lancaster, Hon. AIA, and Rusty Bienvenue, AIA Houston executive director, were more than happy to help Adam Melis, the AIA’s Director of Advocacy Outreach, with meeting logistics to ensure a lively crowd demonstrating to Cong. Brady broad local-professional support for the bills. Among those attending were 15 members, including several AIA Houston board members.
Whether it’s local, state or national in nature, this is all ADVOCACY…and it’s all POWERFUL (or GOOD). Thank you AIA and AIA Houston!
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