Effective Public Testimony

Advocacy Materials: Working with the Legislature Paper12
Source: Tom Hlavacek, United Cerebral Palsy of Southeastern Wisconsin

Hearings provide an excellent opportunity to influence decision-makers, and to get issues in front of the general public. The following suggestions are designed to help develop testimony that is clear and concise, has emotional impact, and will be heard and remembered by public officials.

*The best testimonies share some common characteristics. They are dignified, logical, emotional, accurate, useful, and short. Let's take these one at a time.

1. Dignified - Dignity is expressed in testimony by paying attention to protocol. This means starting the testimony with a greeting: "Good evening ladies and gentlemen," or "Good afternoon Senator Smith and members of the panel." The greeting is followed by introducing yourself and, if appropriate, the group or organization you represent. Close all testimonies by thanking the panel for their attention.
   
2. Logical - Logical testimony starts with a statement of the problem, clearly states the testifier's position on the issue, provides a resolution of the problem, and recommends action to be taken that is rational and possible.
   
3. Emotional - All good testimony hits on the gut level or goes for the throat. This happens when the academic problem (for example budget cuts) is translated into human terms (for example, "I would have to return to a nursing home"). Emotions are stirred most deeply in testimony delivered by people directly affected by the problem; that is, people with disabilities or their family members. However, all testimony has to contain an emotional appeal to be heard and remembered. Service providers and advocates can best achieve this in their testimony by relating the stories of individuals, not by talking about groups. Note: Good testimony has to be both logical and emotional.
   
4. Accurate - If you are using statistics to back up your testimony, make sure they are correct and up to date. Accuracy also means addressing only the topic being addressed at the hearing - not straying into other issues.
   
5. Useful - The best testimony gives decision-makers something they didn't have before that will, either now or down the road, help to resolve the problem at hand. This is the area where most testimonies fall short. Most testifiers are very good at stating the problem and why it is of particular concern to themselves. Very few testifiers actually provide concrete, usable suggestions to resolve the dilemma. Useful suggestions can be short term: "Let's raise the daily admission rather than cut the program,' or long term: "Let's work together to support federal legislation that will expand our resource base." Once again, accuracy is important. Make sure suggestions will not be offensive to others on your side of the issue.
   
6. Short - If you can't say it in three to four minutes, or less, you have a problem on your hands. Short, concise and well-delivered testimonies are usually received favorably by time-pressured officials, and also serve to make the testifier appear competent and in-control. Long-winded and repetitive testimony has the opposite effect on everyone, including those waiting to testify.

These suggestions will help to develop good testimony. Remember that there is strength in numbers and good testimony gets better as part of a coalition effort. (See separate sheet "Public Hearing Strategy)). Good luck!