The Legislative Season kicked off on Wednesday January 10th when volunteers returned to the State Capitol to present information to every State Legislator about Convention of States and to deliver over 500 letters from constituents throughout Colorado. The letters were gathered by the Colorado COS Veterans Coalition in November and December.
Admittedly, the Legislative Liaison Team, headed by John Graboski and the Veterans Coalition (COS Vets) directed by Art Sickler are nearly at a photo finish but I must give the month of January to the Legislative Liaison Team because of the critical organization necessary to make January as successful as it was.
The Letters Campaign was led and organized by Frank Vaughn, Lowell Harris, Lynn Ray and Art Sickler, as well as other dedicated Vets. Frank is a Veteran and member of COS Vets. He is also extending himself to the Legislative Liaison Team and is very effective. He was already a volunteer of the month last year highlighting his determined presence at the Capitol, testifying in person before committee, and non-stop service to Convention of States. Well, he didn't stop there.
This year he has dedicated his time to serve with both John Graboski and Michael Forbis to study and understand our State Legislators, their committees and their members. He studied with his Team the standing of each Legislator in office and where to put the pressure and direct the voices of Colorado COS supporters who want to make their time most effective and valuable. He has also volunteered twice this year to be a guest speaker in Brighton for Wayne Walvoord's monthly meetings in his region. There, he is educating attendees on how the Legislative process works and how they can get involved.
Michael Forbis, also a COS Vet and an active District Captain for House District 14 in Colorado Springs and its surrounding areas, has been an effective addition to the LL Team.
He has successfully reached out to his district 14 Representative Rose Pugliese to sponsor the COS Resolution in committee. She has not only agreed but she is now seeking out co-sponsors. We are now on the 2024 pathway to testify in support of our COS Resolution and our three objectives: impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.
Mike has served as both a strong influence in his state district and is quickly learning his way around the Capitol building, meeting Legislators and in each new season, he's becoming a servant leader who gets results for Convention of States supporters all around Colorado.
John Graboski is the Legislative Liaison leader of his small, yet dedicated crew. He has come a long way in the last three years. Starting his journey with Convention of States in January of 2021, he is the one who knows how to get our Resolution introduced into committee. It has already happened twice and we're on our way to the third. What we are putting our muscle into now is getting as many people to testify as possible.
This is the first year that John has had unified LL team members. Last year he had dedicated volunteers but he was working the Legislative planning and organizing. This year, Frank and Mike have added the much needed efforts that helped John to raise the necessary ruckus that gets Legislative heads to turn and take notice.
The education that Legislators need about the Article V process is, by itself, a necessary intervention that takes more than one volunteer to champion. These three men have put their heart into their efforts and in one month we have been more effective than Colorado has ever experienced since the Convention of States stirrings started for our state in 2013-2014.
If you are noticing the wreckage of federal government overreach that we've experienced over the years and need an outlet to put energy into, join the volunteers at Convention of States in Colorado.
We are determined to be one of the 34 states necessary to call a Convention of States. I have personally heard the naysayers. I read the online posts from quitters who opine that there's no hope so they sit around, plant their white flag and accomplish nothing. Do you want to be a part of the solution to the problem that plagues our nation? Can one be both comfortably numb and effective at the same time?
Our volunteers show up over and over again. We need more dedicated people willing to be District Captains. Volunteers who are willing to reach out to Colorado and educate them about the Article V solution that will rein in an unruly federal government and unite the People of our nation. Training will be provided.
We will not stop until it is done.
Here is some more insight on our three highlighted volunteers:
