William
Safire’s “Safire’s New Political Dictionary” defines
“lobby” “as a verb, to attempt, as a private citizen or
group, to influence governmental decisions and
particularly legislative votes; as a noun, a group
organized for this purpose.”
There are several accounts of the origin of the term.
According to one in Safire’s dictionary, the large
anteroom near the English House of Commons became known in
the mid-seventeenth century as the lobby. It was a public
room where Members of Parliament could be approached by
special pleaders. In the early nineteenth century, those
who lobbied were called “lobbiers” in the U.S. and later,
“lobbyists”.
The growth and complexity of government and its
multiplicity of legislative, policymaking, regulatory,
funding and purchasing processes have given rise to
professional specialists who are more effective at dealing
with it in representing the issues of various interests.
These “lobbyists” understand the arena and have
established relationships with public officials and their
staffs, and can more effectively gain access for their
clients, articulate positions and influence the process.
As the profession has grown and matured, and
with the coming of an information age that facilitates
communication at all levels, high profile representation
is being incorporated with professionally managed
grassroots initiatives to bolster lobbying efforts.
Access, education and influence are being strengthened
through a combination of professional representatives and
direct communication between constituents and their public
officials.
Kheder Davis & Associates have been actively lobbying
in the State of Michigan for over 35 years and can provide
your organization with aggressive, proactive government
relations services.
return to top
|