The unprecedented joint appearance is an extension of Valley Vision’s Village Square series of constructive conversations
Washington D.C.— On Wednesday, April 22nd, more than 320 civic, business and government leaders from the Sacramento region had the unique opportunity to hear Congressional representatives discuss their personal views on what they believe to be the region’s most pressing
issues. It was the first time in more than a decade that multiple members of Congress shared one
stage during the Chamber’s annual Cap-to-Cap program. Representatives Ami Bera, John Garamendi, and Tom McClintock participated.
“At a time when the economic, social, civic and cultural landscape across the Sacramento region is experiencing a serious upswing, engaging the region’s congressional delegates in a dialogue about what steps we can take together to move the region’s priorities forward is aptly timed,” states Peter Tateishi, President and CEO of the Metro Chamber.
While headlines focus on bipartisan rancor, collaboration was a central theme as the Members of Congress acknowledged working together is not just a luxury but an expectation from their constituents and opportunities to listen, talk and work together are often met with open arms. The delegation encouraged attendees to continue the dialogue back at home and to think beyond the community in which one calls home but the region in which we all live. Working together to identify regional priorities across district and county lines, helps guide the regional Congressional delegation on the policies in which they advocate.
“Hosting a forum for our regional Representatives to come together and discuss what keeps them up at night and future aspirations for the region with their constituents is at the crux of the Village Square mission,” said Bill Mueller, Chief Executive of Valley Vision who led the discussion. “The town hall allowed our Representatives to share differences of opinion without disagreeing –a central point all agreed was necessary for a successful political conversation.”
As part of the Cap-to-Cap program, organized by the Sacramento Metro Chamber, attendees participated in 230 meetings with congressional offices and agency and Administration officials. This year, the program carried twelve policy issues important to the Capital Region to include water resources, transportation, and innovation and economic development, in order to raise attention around matters impacting business growth and regional prosperity at home. Unique to this year, program participants heard collectively from the region’s Representatives from one stage on their
distinct views of the most important issues affecting the region’s future.
This town-hall-style forum is an extension of Valley Vision’s Village Square program introduced to the Sacramento region in late 2014. Village Square has earned national acclaim for encouraging constructive dialogue across the partisan divide on matters of local, state and national importance. Valley Vision was chosen as the host organization for the first and only Village Square on the west coast after a thorough assessment across California convinced Village Square leaders that the Sacramento region was uniquely positioned to create an inclusive space where constructive conversations can be had. Village Square is designed on the premise that deepening our understanding of complex social issues and broadening acceptance of diverse viewpoints makes for a better community and country.
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CONTACT:
Colleen Spitz, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Sacramento Metro Chamber
916.552.6800
cspitz@metrochamber.org