Shuler’s Outreach Goes All the Way to Sri Lanka

Oct. 26, 2011, Midnight By Daniel Newhauser Roll Call Staff      

             

Over the past three years, the Democrat has quietly built a reputation as a top Congressional booster of the small South Asian country, grabbing headlines there last week when he returned for his second Congressional delegation trip in about as many years.

Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo

A handful of Rep. Heath Shuler’s constituents in North Carolina spurred the Congressman’s interest in Sri Lanka. Now the lawmaker is seen as an expert on the South Asian nation by his colleagues.

In North Carolina, he’s known as a Congressman. In Tennessee, he’s known as a quarterback. But in Sri Lanka, Rep. Heath Shuler is known as an ally.

It was almost by happenstance that the former Tennessee Volunteer standout quarterback and now-Blue Dog Democrat became the most outspoken Congressional detractor of the Tamil Tigers. But the tale also shows how active constituents can sway a Member.

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