This content was published: June 22, 2011. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Blog: Class act
Photos and story by Dana Haynes
On Monday, I spent about 12 hours at the Capitol lobbying about one particular bill. It was one of those grueling, last-days-of-session situations when emotions run high.
I left a business card on the desk of the legislative aide of Rep. Ben Cannon.
Meanwhile, after a long day of emotionally fraught floor testimony, the House adjourned.
And right around 5:30 p.m., Rep. Cannon called me.
Now, he’d been at it since the wee hours of the morning. He was juggling 14 education bills. He was winning some and losing others.
And frankly, he knew what I wanted to talk to him about, because he knew I opposed this one bill that he supported.
I don’t live in his district. I’m not a particularly influential person in the halls. But he still didn’t finish his day until he called me and gave me about 15 minutes to state my case.
We agreed to disagree and came back the next morning.
It’s those quick acts of comity and civility that make working in the Capitol so rewarding. Cannon didn’t have to give me the time of day. But he did.
Classy.
About Dana Haynes
Dana Haynes, joined PCC in 2007 as the manager of the Office of Public Affairs, directing the college's media and government relations. Haynes spent the previous 20 years as a reporter, columnist and editor for Oregon newspapers, including ... more »