The Government Accountability Project & Make it Safe Coalition Present:
2010 NATIONAL WHISTLEBLOWER ASSEMBLY
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: HONORING 10 YEARS OF COMMITMENT
MONDAY, MAY 24, 2010 - TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010
Join the whistleblower community on May 24th and 25th for an intensive conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Co-Sponsors of this year’s Assembly include the National Treasury Employees Union, Project On Government Oversight, the American Federation of Government Employees, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and Semmelweis Society International. Donors include the Employment Law Group, Katz, Marshall & Banks, and Taylor & Associates, Ltd/Truckers Justice Center. Entitled “The Final Countdown: Honoring 10 Years of Commitment,” this year’s conference will act as a collective final push to get the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (S 372), out of Congress and adopted into law.
The Conference Will Feature: A morning plenary session with our congressional allies, theme-based workshops led by prominent whistleblowers and good government organizations, a national security panel with star whistleblowers in the industry, street law update informational sessions, a meet and greet with the new appointees to the MSPB, OSHA, and ARB, and lobby training and intensive lobbying appointments with congressional offices.
The 2010 National Whistleblower Assembly aims to:
- Establish a cohesive social network between whistleblowers
- Provide an outlet for direct legislative campaigning
- Celebrate ten years of devoted advocacy to strengthen the Whistleblower Protection Act
The Conference will feature:
- A plenary session with our congressional allies
- Theme-based workshops led by prominent whistleblowers and good government organizations
- A national security panel with star whistleblowers from the industry
- Street law and update informational sessions
- A meet and greet with new appointments to the MSPB, OSHA, and ARB
- Lobby training and optional lobbying appointments with congressional offices
Speakers and guests include:
- Whistleblowers Frank Serpico, Daniel Ellsberg, Jack Spadaro, Coleen Rowley, Franz Gayl, George Sarris, and Robert MacLean
- United States Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
- MSPB Chairwoman Susan Grundmann, Vice Chairwoman Anne Wagner and Member Mary Rose
- ARB Chairman Paul Igasaki and Vice Chairman Cooper Brown
- OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels
- Special Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform Norm Eisen (Invited to speak at the plenary session)
We look forward to your valued attendance. If you have any questions, or to RSVP, please contact Becky Jones at the Government Accountability Project or call (202) 457-0034 ext. 127.
The National Whistleblower Assembly is open to the public and free of charge; however, we welcome and encourage your financial support. A tax-deductible donation can be made online, or mailed to the Government Accountability Project, 1612 K St NW, Suite 1100, Washington DC 20006. Please write “2010 NWA” in the designation/memo field to ensure your contribution supports the National Whistleblower Assembly.
2010 National Whistleblower Assembly – Working Schedule
Monday - May 24th, 2010
9:00am - 10:30am: Plenary Session (Capitol Visitor's Center)
- Keynote Speaker – Frank Serpico, Retired NYPD Whistleblower; Introduction by Tom Devine, Legal Director, Government Accountability Project (GAP)
- Message from White House – Norm Eisen*, Special Counsel to President Obama for Ethics and Government Reform. *Eisen is invited to speak; Introduction by Danielle Brian, Executive Director, Project on Government Oversight (POGO)
- Message from Congress - Representative Christopher Van Hollen, Introduction by Mark Cohen, Executive Director, GAP
- Message from Congress - Lisa Powell, Staff Director, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; Introduction by Charity Wilson, Legislative Representative, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
- Overview of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act: Tom Devine, GAP; Michael German, National Security Council, American Civil Liberties Union, former FBI Whistleblower
11:00am - 12:15pm: Panels/Workshops
FAA Whistleblower Alliance: Air Safety (Rayburn HOB Room 2203)
Federal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Panel (Rayburn HOB Room 2154)
Media Training (Rayburn HOB Room 2247)
Corporate/ Occupational Safety (CVC: Congressional Auditorium)
Medical Whistleblower Workshop (Stewart R. Mott House - 122 Maryland Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002)
OSC Watch: Office of Special Counsel Workshop (Stewart R. Mott House)
12:30-1:30
12:30pm - 1:30pm: Know Your Rights
Street Law Sessions for new Whistleblower Rights in Current Legislation (CVC: Congressional Auditorium)
Angela Canterbury, Director of Public Policy, POGO; Tom Devine, Legal Director, GAP; Jason Zuckerman, Employment Law Attorney, the Employment Law Group; Paul Taylor, Employment Law Attorney, Taylor & Associates, Ltd./Truckers Justice Center
2:00pm - 4:00pm: Federal Law Employment Officers Association: National Security Luncheon (Stewart R. Mott House)
- Awards
Jack Spadaro (Mine Safety and Health Administration Whistleblower) – Lifetime Achievement Award; Presented by Celia Wexler, Washington Representative, Union of Concerned Scientists
Daniel Meyer (Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Director of Civilian Reprisal Investigations) – Public Servant Award, Presented by Jeff Ruch, Executive Director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)
Bradley Birkenfeld – Tax Whistleblower of the Year Award (Received by Doug Birkenfeld), Presented by Jesselyn Radack, Homeland Security Director, GAP
- National Security Panel
Panelists: Franz Gayl (DoD Civilian Science and Technology Advisor), Michael German (National Security Council, ACLU, former FBI whistleblower), Robert MacLean (Former Federal Air Marshal), Jesselyn Radack (former Department of Justice Ethics Lawyer), Coleen Rowley (former FBI and 9/11 whistleblower), George Sarris (U.S. Air Force Mechanic)
Chair: Chris Schoppmeyer, Vice President, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
4:00pm - 5:00pm: Lobby Training with the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (Stewart R. Mott House)
Intensive lobby training will focus around introducing and reinforcing general lobbying skills as well as talking points for lobbying on behalf of whistleblower rights.
Training led by Larry Ottinger, President, Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest.
Appearances by Tom Devine, Legal Director, GAP; and Gordon Hamel, Former Capitol Hill Employee and White House Whistleblower
5:00pm - 7:00pm: Project on Government Oversight: Meet the New Appointments (Stewart R. Mott House) Catering Provided by Green Plate Catering
MSPB Chairwoman Susan Grundmann, Vice Chairwoman Anne Wagner and Member Mary Rose
ARB Chairman Paul Igasaki and Vice Chairman Cooper Brown
OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels
Introductions by Danielle Brian, Executive Director, POGO
Tuesday – May 25th 2010
9:30am - 10:00am: Opening Remarks/ Light Breakfast (Stewart R. Mott House) Catering Provided by Green Plate Catering
10:30am - 3:30pm: Lobbying on the Hill (Congressional Offices)
3:30pm - 5:00pm: Closing Reception (Stewart R. Mott House) Catering Provided by Green Plate Catering
- Closing Speaker: Daniel Ellsberg, former U.S. Military Analyst and Pentagon Papers Whistleblower; Introduction by Louis Clark, President, GAP
Tuesday will focus around intensive lobbying on Capital Hill. If you are interested in lobbying on Tuesday, we encourage you to make lobbying appointments with your congressional representative as soon as possible. More information regarding lobbying, as well as detailed information about the Conference, will be featured on the Make It Safe Coalition website, as it becomes available.
