washingtonscene
decision to make these adjustments and to ensure our national leaders do the
provide fairer evaluations for many who right thing by those who serve.”
previously were separated with lowballed
disability ratings.
Military Kids
The Hill Get Help
Cites MOAA
More states sign children’s
education compact.
Leaders named “top lobbyists.”
ore than 60 percent of military
T
he largest-circulation news-
paper on Capitol Hill, The Hill, M
children now are covered by the
Interstate Compact on Educa-
has published its list of “top lob- tional Opportunity for Military Children,
byists” — and has listed MOAA leaders as Alabama, Alaska, Maryland, Texas, and
as the only military or veterans’ group Washington signed the compact in May.
representatives on this year’s list. Here’s Participating states agree to improve school
what the article had to say: transitions for military children regarding
“Members [of Congress] don’t neces- enrollment, placement, and graduation.
sarily like to be lobbied. That is, they The compact is important to eliminate
don’t like it when someone lobbies against obstacles facing military children relocat-
something they support, which helps ex- ing between states. Many have weaker
plain the prevalence of trade associations college applications if they can’t get into
in Washington. … [T]rade groups are often certain high school classes or have to
the most public voices in a lobbying cam- take several state history courses instead
paign. ... Complicating the effort … is that of more advanced coursework. In some
not all of their members see eye-to-eye on cases, this threatens graduation.
things. One has to constantly preach the Not all states are supportive. Arkansas
benefi ts of sticking together to companies withdrew the bill, North Dakota sent it
that may be competitors on another play- to a study group, and South Dakota de-
ing fi eld. Here are a few people who are ferred action. Georgia passed other legis-
good at fi nding consensus among their lation but didn’t join the compact.
members and then communicating their MOAA sent special alerts to service-
message on Capitol Hill.” members in several states where legis-
“With so much attention given to mili- latures were poised to adjourn without
tary families and veterans, [MOAA’s re- action — and their outpouring of support
tired Navy Vice Adm.] Norb Ryan Jr., and helped get it passed.
retired [Air Force] Col. Steve Strobridge California, with more than 61,000 mili-
ensure that their critical issues stay at the tary children, will need strong encourage-
forefront,” the article said. ment to pass the legislation due to state
“We very much appreciate this rec- laws on mandated funding. MO
ognition for our work on behalf of the
military and veterans’ community,” said
— Contributors are Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-
Ryan. “But the real credit should go to
Ret., direc tor; Col. Mike Hayden, USAF-Ret.; Col.
Bob Norton, USA-Ret.; Cmdr. René Campos, USN-
our 370,000 members and very active
Ret.; Cmdr. John Class, USN-Ret.; Col. Phil Odom,
state and local leaders who help us exer-
USAF-Ret.; Joy Dunlap; Bret Shea; and Matt Mur-
cise the all-important grassroots input phy, MOAA’s Government Relations Department.
JULY 2009 MILITARY OFFICER 35
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