Congressman Ron Klein - For our next meeting we arrived a few minutes early, as usual, since I believe the early bird gets the worm! Jeff informed us that the Congressman was still in a meeting and was running a little late and that we may have to meet with him on the way to the Capitol to cast his vote on the S-CHIP – The State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) – that was going to expire at the end of September and needed a new bill that included a 61-cent-a-pack Federal tax increase to supplement the cost of insuring children.

Ron is always working and meeting with his constituents, communicating his message to them. For the half hour we were there, I was exhausted just by watching him working very hard every minutes to serve.

Ron has been serving Florida for many years before elected to Congress in 2006. He told me at the meeting that he and his wife support this cause and he has been a major supporter of the 15% State-Tobacco Settlement money as recommended by the CDC for tobacco prevention, education and awareness causes. The funding started at over $70 million a year and unfortunately dropped to a mere 1 million. Thanks to Ron's commitment to save our kids, he helped keep it alive until the passage of Amendment 4, keep our kids smoke free, passed in 2006, mandating an annual 15% investment to help with educating the public.

Congressman Tim Mahoney - We met with the Congressman's Chief of Staff, Tricia Barrentine Guay. I presented her with the packet of support letters and discussed our cause.  She is most supportive of this cause and the need to do more. We will be working with her again in support of our FY ‘09 Appropriations later this year.

Congressman Alcee Hastings - We ended our day by meeting with the Congressman's Chief Legislative Assistant, Audrey Nicoleau. I briefed her on our accomplishments and brought her up to date with our activities since we last met with her in March. She is a strong supporter of our cause and she assured us of the Congressman's continual support as well.

Thursday, September 26^th, 2007
Congressman Robert Wexler - Today's meeting was with the Congressman and Ms. Eva Dominguez, his Senior Policy Advisor. I briefed Eva on the issues and she agreed and supported our cause. She told us about her understanding of tobacco addiction and how difficult it is for people to quit and how a loved one very close to her smokes and she is desperately urging her to quit. She expressed her concern by asking "how do you quit?" I said in a few words, "education at all levels." This is the Center's main goal to find an answer to that question through research and education, something that we lack today.

We briefly met with Congressman Wexler. I quickly informed him of the organization and its goals. He was very supportive and thankful for our efforts for Smoke Free Society Education.

Wednesday, March 7^th, 2007
Visiting the Senate and House for scheduled meetings - It snowed in Washington, probably for the first and last time as Spring is setting in, after many days of beautiful, not-too-cold, clear and blue skies.

The snow started early in the morning and lasted through early evening, covering the landscape with a light snow no more than 2 inches deep. When we are in DC, we always use the Metro to get around – green travelers. We got off at Union Station. The old railroad station has been revamped to a bustling marketplace and shops – a touch of the past combined with new and modern facilities that cater to millions of people a year traveling back and forth to work and visit our great Nation’s Capitol and its many wonderful, museums, monuments, history and beauty.

Thursday, March 8^th, 2007
Visiting the Senate and House for scheduled meetings - The next day was a beautiful, bright, blue-sky day. Some of yesterday's snow had melted as the sun shined on Washington.

Our visit was a very productive one. We briefed everyone at our meetings that this is a tangible Center that is totally dedicated to this most-important cause of our time and our children. They all agreed and were very supportive and promised to work on funding the programs. They were all thankful for our meeting and our work on the cause.   

Visit to Tallahassee to continue our campaign for this most-important cause of our time that adversely affects all of us, whether we smoke or not.

Wednesday February 7, 2007
Visiting the Senate and House for scheduled meetings - Met with our Senate and House CBIRS sponsors and Senate HA Committee members to brief them on our project. The more they know about our project, the better chance of funding.

Thursday, February 8^th, 2007
Visiting the Senate and House for scheduled meetings - It was a beautiful, cool, bright, blue-sky day. Overall, it was a very successful trip. All the committee members agreed and were very supportive and promised to give our cause their attention and to see what they can do since the new Governor has put to work new guidelines and restrictions on spending. They also thanked us for meeting with them as well as spearheading this vital cause.