(L to R) Greg Chavez, The Vision Council; Barney Dougher, CEO Hoya;
Congressman Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX); Mike Vitale, The Vision Council;
and Bill Applegate, The Vision Council Government Relations.
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Last month during Congress’ August recess, Hoya CEO Barney Dougher and The Vision Council’s government relations team met with Congressman Michael Burgess, MD (D-TX) in his local Lewisville, Texas district office.

The Vision Council has worked closely with Congressman Burgess and his staff on Capitol Hill for many years. However, The Vision Council said it is also a priority for the organization to showcase the work of its member companies at the local level so that elected officials truly understand the contributions that the optical community makes within their own districts, in terms of jobs, technology, tax base and vision health. The purpose of the Vision Council members’ visit was to educate Congressman Burgess regarding the work and vast contributions, both locally and nationally, that are made by The Vision Council member company Hoya, located squarely within Burgess’ 26th district of Texas.

The Vision Council’s ongoing efforts to bridge relationships between member companies and their elected officials have involved a variety of grassroots campaigns. During the most recent spring Congressional recess, The Vision Council organized visits for two members of Congress to tour local member facilities based in their California Congressional districts (California Accessories in Oakland, and Shamir Insights in San Diego). The Vision Council also facilitated meetings with member company leadership and senior political appointees to California Governor Brown (D-CA).