Posted on September 28, 2023
It is with renewed honor that I return for the seventh time to the American University Washington College of Law to deliver a lecture on behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). This esteemed opportunity, extended by Professor Bettina Poirier, allows me to share invaluable insights gleaned from her extensive career on The Hill, furthering the education of emerging legal professionals. The upcoming presentation, titled “Asbestos: Drafting, Passing and Enacting Legislation During Tumultuous Times,” will explore the 19-year trajectory of ADAO’s legal and legislative endeavors, providing a distinctive non-profit viewpoint on this critical issue.
The pathway to drafting and enacting legislation is undeniably more of a marathon than a sprint. It’s an arena filled with a myriad of battles, significant milestones, and unforeseen turns. I will share ADAO’s legal and legislative actions with the students, enlightening them with the strategies and tactics we’ve honed over nearly two decades. To echo Sun Tzu’s wisdom in The Art of War, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
It is crucial for these future policy-makers to grasp the inherent patience and vigilance required in drafting legislation. It is a lengthy endeavor, often spanning years or even decades, and success hinges upon sustained effort and commitment. Despite the slow pace of shaping public policy, ADAO’s consistent prevention and policy efforts have culminated in the bicameral introduction of various versions of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Acts, including the recent unveiling of ARBAN 2023 by Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Suzanne Bonamici.
From the inception of Asbestos Awareness Week Resolutions 19 years ago to the recent introduction of ARBAN, I am eager to shed light on the intricate and strategic process behind successfully drafting and enacting legislation, and building bipartisan support.
Now, with the ban on asbestos closer to realization than ever before, I am eager to discuss ADAO’s latest progress and developments. The backing of Olin Corporation marks a significant advance, leaving just one company continuing to import asbestos. Recently, on Mesothelioma Awareness Day, Rep. Don Bacon signed on to ARBAN as a co-sponsor, making history as the first Republican co-sponsor and officially making ARBAN a bipartisan bill. We are grateful for this landmark step, and I look forward to explaining to the students how we got here.
In unity, our experiences over time affirm our capacity to effect meaningful change. We remain unwavering in our commitment to tactics that not only prevent asbestos exposure and eradicate all asbestos-induced diseases but also steadfastly safeguard public health.
Together, let’s continue to champion this crucial cause for the safety and well-being of all.
Linda Reinstein