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Testifying Before Congress: A Practical Guide To Preparing And Delivering Testimony Before Congress And Congressional Hearings For Agencies, Assoc

When Governor Mitch Daniels (Indiana) compared testifying before Congress to getting a root canal, he was being polite. Sitting vulnerably at a witness table under hot television lights while members of the House or Senate stare down at you from above is not just intimidating; it can wreck your career, your company, and your credibility if you say the wrong thing. As a practical guide to assist witnesses and their organizations in preparing and delivering Congressional testimony, this book is designed for use by anyone or any organization called upon to testify before a committee of Congress, and for those who are providing assistance in preparing the testimony and the witness. This book serves as a guide through the unique maze of the Congressional hearings process for virtually any witness or organization, including federal departments and agencies, the federal judiciary, members and staff of the legislative branch itself, associations, corporations, the military service branches, NGOs, private and voluntary organizations (PVOs), public interest entities, state and local governmental officials and institutions, and individuals who are chosen to appear as a witness before Congress for any reason on any topic. Similarly, in the world of academics and scholarship, this reference work can be helpful to scholars and writers in think-tanks and research organizations, as well as to faculty, researchers and students engaged in the study of law, business, government, politics, political science and the legislative processes of government. This book can also serve as a reliable reference source and helpful tool for law, lobbying, government relations, accounting, and other public policy-related service industry professionals who are involved with the Congressional hearings process on behalf of their clients', their customers' and their own public policy, legislative and government relations interests. Testifying Before Congress demystifies the Congressional hearings process, and assists witnesses and their organizations to be well-prepared when appearing before a Congressional committee to testify. The principles in this book may also be used by those preparing for hearings before federal agencies and international tribunals, as well as state and local governmental bodies. However, the major thrust of this work focuses on the distinct Congressional hearing process and its major elements. More than 20 endorsers--who include one current and one former governor, a city mayor, corporate CEOs and industry leaders, directors of top law and lobbying organizations, the Chairman of Bank of America, several past and present top government officials and agency directors, a bar association president, law school deans and university leaders, and heads of non-governmental organizations (see all endorsements at the book's web site)-- strongly recommend this book for lobbyists, executives, associations, government officials, academics, and virtually anyone who is called to testify before Congress. "Testifying Before Congress is the best "how to" resource that I have seen -- it is well-researched, experience-based, and thoughtfully written, with a dash of humor added for good measure."- Samuel M. Davis, Dean of the School of Law, The University of Mississippi Full Table of Contents and endorsements at www.TCNTBC.com

Paperback: 450 pages

Publisher: TheCapitol.Net, Inc. (June 21, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1587331632

ISBN-13: 978-1587331633

Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.9 x 10 inches

Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #1,504,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #130 in Books > Law > Rules & Procedures > Witnesses #675 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States > Legislative Branch #1029 in Books > Textbooks > Business & Finance > Business Communication

Bill LaForge has written a highly accessible guide to demystifying and mastering the art of the Congressional hearing. Mr. LaForge is a highly respected Washington lobbyist and teacher of the craft of public policy. He brings more than three decades of experience -- as a government official, Senate appropriations committee staff director and a Washington lawyer/lobbyist -- to write one of the best books of its kind. The text is an authoritative reference work for use by witnesses preparing to enter the lion's den on Capitol Hill, as well as those counseling and preparing a witness to testify before a Congressional committee or subcommittee.

I'd just received my copy of Testifying Before Congress when I'd gotten the call to come before a Senate committee to testify for a bill of great importance to me. It was such a relief to open the book up and find everything I needed. Mr. LaForge's practical, no-nonsense approach, enhanced with real life examples and a tad of humor, made it an easy read and helped to make my experience not just successful, but also fun. Thanks to the author for bringing us this great resource. I am keeping it within reach from now on.

Testifying Before Congress is a step-by-step, practical guide to successfully guiding witnesses through the thicket of congressional investigations and hearings. Mr. LaForge is a well respected attorney and public policy professional who has worked on Capitol Hill and in public policy for many years. His book reflects the many valuable lessons he has learned from his extensive "real world" experience. The book is well organized, logically progressing from a description of the context of congressional hearings to the preparation of written and oral witness testimony, the conduct of the hearing, the response to committee questions, and the post-hearing follow-up. The chapter on the presentation and delivery of oral testimony, utilizing as examples the actual congressional testimony by well known public figures, is superb. Particularly useful for practitioners is the Appendix, which contains samples of congressional committee written testimony and transcripts of congressional committee hearing oral testimony. The structure, organization, and "road map" approach makes the book an "easy read." Mr. LaForge's thoughtful, precisely written, and practical treatise on the congressional investigation and hearing process is an invaluable resource for all "stakeholders" in the congressional hearing and public policy-making process - Members of Congress, staff, administration officials, associations, corporations, military service branches, non-governmental organizations, and the public. The book is a "must-read" for government relations professionals and attorneys representing congressional hearing witnesses.

This book, Testifying Before Congress, is an invaluable resource for anyone who faces the prospect of testifying in a Congressional hearing - particularly in today's highly partisan atmosphere wherein political points are often attempted at the expense of the witness and relevant testimony.I cannot imagine anyone, and particularly those who serve and answer to public stakeholders, even considering sitting in the hot seat without having gained the invaluable counsel shared in this comprehensive work.Kudos to Mr. LaForge!

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