Democracy in Action: Four days in DC

The Bread for the World Southwest Delegation takes to Capitol Hill for a day of advocacy around hunger. The group of four Texans, one New Mexican, and three Arizonans were lead by Lupe Conchas (third from right), BFW Southwest Regional Organizer.

Hunger advocates from across the country gathered online and in person in Washington, D.C. on June 6-7 for the 2022 Bread for the World Advocacy Summit. LAMA director Solveig Muus joined colleagues for the two days of worship, training, strategy, fellowship and advocacy on Capitol Hill.

Under Bread’s theme, “The Power of Our Voice,” this year’s advocates urged their legislators to extend the Child Nutrition Waivers through the 2022-2023 academic year, and to support S.2956, the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act.

The Southwest delegation was invited to the Advocacy Summit and hosted by Lupe Conchas, BFW Southwest Regional Organizer, whose territory includes Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. The group strategized together, then took to The Hill for appointments with Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Ben Jay Luján (D-NM), as well as an impromptu visit to Sen. Mark Kelly’s office, a chance encounter with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and a meeting of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee.

Solveig had time to see the sights along with way, and break bread with longtime LAMA supporter Sarah Payne Naylor, ELCA Service & Justice senior director Rev. Amy Reumann, and BFW organizer Lupe Conchas.

Keynote Address

Rev. Eugene Cho, CEO of Bread for the World, addresses the audience, both virtual and in person.

Advocacy 101

Training for the Advocacy Day at the Capitol with the experts from Bread for the World.

Full House

A capacity crowd learned about how to engage legislators in conversation and action.

Making Connections

Evening reception included conversations with advocates from around the country, including board members (L), organizers (second from L) and Rev. Eugene Cho (second from R), CEO of Bread for the World.

Strategy Session

The Southwest regional delegation organizing for the day on The Hill.

BFW Southwest Delegation

Advocates from Texan, New Mexicans and Arizona wait at the Longworth Building for an appointment with Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). Note shoe attire ~ no wonder it’s called Capitol Hill. L to R are David Deulofeu i Antúnez - TX; Annie Masterson - TX; Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood - AZ; Funmilayo Adeyemi - TX; Solveig Muus - AZ; Lupe Conchas - AZ; Rev. Yvette Blair - TX; Kyle Jim - NM.

Congressman Gallego

The BFW Southwest delegation met with Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ, third from left) and policy advisor Jane Garza at the Congressman’s office. Representing Arizona were Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood (Arizona Faith Network, top, third from R), Solveig Muus (LAMA, top right) and Lupe Conchas (bottom center).

Senator Cornyn

BFW Southwest delegation meets with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) policy advisor Alaura Ervin (fourth from L). Representing Texas were Funmi Adeyemi (second from L), Annie Masterson (third from L), David Deulofeu i Antúnez (third from R) and Rev. Yvette Blair (second from R).

Senator Luján

Productive meeting with Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) policy advisor, Katie Mertens (second from L). Kyle Jim (second from R) from Shiprock represented indigenous concerns well.

Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee

The introduction of S.387, the Grand Canyon Protection Act, was on the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee agenda that day, but it was postponed. We missed Sens. Sinema and Kelly.

Celebrity Sighting

Sen. Elizabeth Warren posed for a pic in the halls of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. L to R: Lupe Conchas (BFW), Sen. Warren, Annie from San Antonio (BFW Intern) and Solveig Muus (LAMA).

Prayer Chain

The group pauses for prayer.

Dear Friends

Lunch with Sarah Naylor, original LAMA framer and former policy council member, now residing in Virginia.

Washington Monument

Historic first sighting of the stunning Washington Monument.

WWII Monument

A visit to the WWII monument on the National Mall revealed a quote relevant for today: “Women who stepped up were measured as citizens of the nation, not as women. This was a people’s war, and everyone was in it.” ~ Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby

Lincoln Memorial

Well worth the visit. Inscription reads, “In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.”

Lest we forget.

The Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Lincoln on November 19, 1863, is one of the best known speeches in American history. Well worth reading regularly.

Supreme Court

One lone person in a T-shirt reading, “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes” carries a sign reading “I am a woman, not a womb.”

The White House

The typical DC tourist pose.

Commander

A rare sighting of Commander, White House dog-in-chief, with his handlers.

Ford's Theater

Any walking tour of DC must include the Ford’s Theater! Solveig Muus and Lupe Conchas (BFW).