A primary objective of the Committee on Public Affairs, which I chair, is to increase the number of AGU members who bring their knowledge to bear on matters of common concern at the national level. An excellent opportunity to do so is the upcoming Congressional Visits Day (CVD), slated to take place 10--11 May 2005 on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D. C. Over 200 scientists from all disciplines will gather together for a half day of briefings from congressional and Administration leaders on the topic of science in the federal government. The next day, the scientists spend the full day visiting their congressional delegations and other members of Congress who shape the federal budget for geophysical research.