Have you ever yourself ever darkened the door of an LIO in order to testify at a legislative hearing? It's hard to tell if your comment is sarcasm or an honest inquiry, but as a citizen I spend more than my fair share of time testifying and have since we first got teleconferencing.
Do they listen? Hard to tell. Some do, some squirm, some committee chairs are pissy and will cut you off, some won't call on you if they know you and don't like what you have to say, even if you are civil and polite. It's a toss-up.