In mid-November, seven National People’s Action groups traveled to Washington, DC to make a heavy push for a meeting with the Department of Education and to set up the school construction bill in the 2003 legislative session.

Within 22 hours, NPA groups made the rounds around Capitol Hill, including chairing a meeting hosted by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle’s office. Staff from 11 members offices from eight states attended the meeting, including Sen. Ted Kennedy’s office, a ranking member on the Senate Education Committee.

Attending senate staff committed to hosting joint hearings on school construction, while Kennedy’s office committed to a follow-up meeting to discuss how to push senior officials at the Department of Education to meet with NPA on local and national educational issues.

Lori Okon, a leader with Parents Alliance for Compliance in Special Education (PACE) felt the meeting demonstrated NPA’s power. “One of the most eye-opening moments for me was when I was sitting in the Capitol with the staff of almost a dozen Senators and I began to realize the combined power of all the people in the room. NPA leaders were professional and polished; they showed the type of dedication that makes things happen, that change the world.”

NPA also met with House Majority Leader Rep. Tom DeLay’s office who committed to helping securing a meeting with the chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee.

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