Feingold Marks 11th Year of Holding Open Meetings in Every County, Every Year Senator Has Held 792 Listening Sessions Since 1993 December 12, 2003 Biron, WI – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today will complete his eleventh year of Listening Sessions, keeping his promise to hold these open meetings in each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties every year. Logging approximately 110,000 miles in Wisconsin, or the equivalent of nearly four and a half times around the world, Feingold has traveled to virtually every corner of the state to listen to Wisconsinites’ questions and respond to their concerns. “I deeply appreciate the effort people make to come talk to me at these open meetings,” Feingold said. “Listening to the people of Wisconsin is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job, and a duty I take very seriously. Every step of the way, I’ve had the honor and the pleasure to have these frank and open discussions with my fellow Wisconsinites about the issues that matter to them.” In 2003, over 3,600 individuals have attended Feingold’s Listening Sessions throughout Wisconsin. Feingold met with as many as 298 people at Johnson Creek High School on March 10th in Jefferson County, and as few as nine at the Prairie du Chien City Hall on December 10th. Over the past eleven years, Listening Sessions have brought Feingold face to face with over 36,000 Wisconsinites to discuss their concerns and listen to their views. This is equivalent to listening to more than the entire population of Oconto County (35,634) or the City of Beloit (34,053). Top Issues: What’s on Wisconsin’s Mind - Below are the top ten issues raised at Feingold’s Listening Sessions in 2003*: 1. Health Care 324 people 2. Foreign Affairs, War in Iraq 291 people 3. Civil Liberties, PATRIOT Act, Homeland Security 137 people 4. Education 124 people 5. Economy, Unemployment, Job Loss 105 people 6. Taxes 92 people 7. Environment 84 people 8. Agriculture 74 people 9. Veterans Issues and Benefits 65 people 10. Aging Issues, Social Security, Long Term Care 64 people *Through December 10, 2003 “Wisconsinites give me great ideas for new legislation at these meetings, and when they come to tell me they are having trouble with a federal agency, I can try to help,” Feingold said. “The bottom line is that the people of this state care enough to take the time to come to these sessions and tell me what’s on their mind, and what’s important to them. Their ideas and advice have enabled me to serve the people of Wisconsin to the best of my ability. I am grateful to everyone I have met during the past eleven years, and I look forward to visiting every county again next year.”

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