Persist

I heard on the radio that Congressman Adam Schiff of the 29th U.S. District—that is, our Congressman—is responsible for a bill signed by President Bush yesterday. The "Rim of the Valley bill authorizes a study of adding 490,000 acres of public and private land along the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys to the 153,000-acre Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area," according to the Fresno Bee.

I got myself on Adam Schiff's mailing list. He sends emails with questionnaires, asking how I want him to vote on things. It takes about a second so I fill them out. Then I can see results on how other constituents responded (am I in the minority? the majority?). In the follow-up, he tells me how he voted.

I like the guy. He's accountable. And he usually votes the way I tell him to, so what's not to like?

In the radio interview, Representative Schiff said he's been working for years to get this bill passed. It'll be another two or three years before the study's finished, then it'll take more time before any of the lands studied will actually be added to the National Recreation Area. But he's willing to persist.

Thanks, Mr. Schiff. You keep it up and I'll keep voting for you. Heck, maybe I'll vote for you twice next time, just for good measure.