Citizen Architect: What it’s like to lobby the U.S. Congress

Joining more than 400 AIA members from across the United States, Takeuchi met with federal lawmakers and congressional staff to discuss critical legislative issues like ensuring local community input in the design of federal buildings, the repeal of the harmful research and development amortization tax provision, and eliminating arbitrary fee limitations on A/E Federal Contracts to address growing scope and complexity of federal projects. A veteran advocate, Takeuchi shares why he prioritizes attending AIA Lobby Day, how AIA helps prepare members for meetings with their representatives, and why Congress wants to hear from architects.
 

What motivated you to make the trip to Washington, DC?

Hawaii is one of the most isolated places in the world, and it’s a special trip when architects from Hawaii can engage with lawmakers in Congress. There are a handful of us from the islands who attend Leadership Summit, so every voice matters. In addition, as the AIA Young Architects Forum 2024 chair, discussions and solutions related to emerging architects and the future of the profession invigorate me. Being surrounded by a talented and global concentration of AIA leaders who are making a difference brings me back each year.

What was the most surprising experience of AIA Lobby Day?

Within the first three minutes of the first meeting, a staff member and I connected when we realized that we had grown up in the same valley a few blocks from each other. In another year, a senator who was familiar with my neighborhood could recall exactly where my childhood home was because he remembered how well the yard was maintained. Although almost 5,000 miles away, it’s an unexpected joy to realize how close we are and that a meeting in a lawmaker’s office can be an experience like home.

How did AIA prepare you for the meeting with lawmakers and staff?

Communication was thorough and efficient by AIA while the Advocacy Day App provided every logistical detail needed such as meeting schedule, exactly which staffers and lawmakers will attend each meeting, information about bills and more. Julia Fink, AIA Honolulu EVP, kept all Hawaii attendees in communication before departure with notes and documents. We intentionally gathered for dinner the evening before Hill Day to discuss talking points, bills to request support for, as well as local issues. 

Why should other architects take time to meet with local, state, and federal lawmakers?

Many meetings I’ve sat in begin with staff asking, “How can we help you?” I do believe this question is deeply genuine and that architects can and should embrace invitations and opportunities to be supported by lawmakers at all levels. The recent Maui fire disaster became a consistent topic in all our Hill Day meetings and underscored the importance of architects to lawmakers. Because of the passion shown by our members and the important work already being done on island, a senator requested a follow up meeting the following day and other commitments were proposed by a representative to help in building connections between local legislative officials and architects. Lawmakers want to hear from architects and want to support us. 

Learn more about AIA’s advocacy efforts.