Member Involvement Works
“It’s as simple as Civics 101. Rather than following the contemporary ‘grassroots’ herd by stressing artificial democracy, the NAM is going back to basics. The NAM recognizes that members of Congress are representatives, and as the constituents they represent, we as manufacturers have a right to expect they’ll listen to what we have to say.
In this and other ways, the NAM’s public affairs effort is changing the same way that politics is changing. It is wisely putting more emphasis on efforts outside Washington because elected officials are increasingly paying more attention to what they hear at home. In a curious way, many people find this Civics 101 approach hard to understand at first blush — not because it’s too complicated, but because it is so simple.”
-Warren Batts, former NAM chairman
To learn more about member involvement, contact the NAM’s Public Affairs Department at (202) 637-3114.
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Sen. Martinez Award Event
Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), left, received the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence from Noel Fogerty, vice president of operations at Boston Scientific. Sen. Martinez supported industry on 89 percent of the NAM Key Manufacturing Votes. |
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Quality Float Works Roundtable Discussion and Plant Tour
NAM Board member, Sandra Westlund-Deenihan, left, president and design engineer of Quality Float Works, Inc., in Schaumburg, Ill., hosted a roundtable discussion and plant tour in early February with Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL). Issues discussed included the death tax, among others. |
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Emerson Process Management Plant Tour
Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX-10), right, with Business Leader JohnBerra from Emerson Process Management in Austin, TX in the product demonstration center. Rep. McCaul visited the facility for a product demonstration and met with 40 management employees to discuss their business and recent Congressional action. |
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Pension Reform Meeting
The NAM sponsored a pension reform meeting with Reps. John Boehner (R-OH-6) and Melissa Hart (R-PA-4) in Cranberry Township, Pa. From left to right are: Jerry Hodge, senior regional manager, NAM; Gretchen Haggerty and Dan Walsh, United States Steel; Rep. Melissa Hart; Rep. John Boehner; Scott Salmon and Chris Masciantonio, United States Steel. |
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Kentucky Plant Tour
Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY-6) toured the Tokico (USA), Inc. plant with Bill Wildman, vice president, general affairs, Tokico (USA), Inc., right, in Berea, Ky. Rep. Chandler demonstrated an understanding of manufacturing issues and the importance of not adding unnecessary administrative burdens to companies as they continue efforts to compete globally. |
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Explaining the Importance of Employee Involvement
Kendig Kneen, left, CEO and owner of Al-Jon, Inc. distributes an "I Make Things In America And I Vote" bumper sticker to an employee and explains to him the importance of getting involved in the electoral process. |
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Alabama Plant Tour
President Ed Childress, left, and Plant Manager Ken Vest of Syncro Corporation, center, guide Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) on a tour of the company's facilities in Arab, Ala. Company representatives stressed the importance of reducing federal, state and local costs that decrease competitiveness in the global marketplace. |
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Taking Our Message From the Factory Floor To the People
Kellie Johnson, President of ACE Clearwater Enterprises, right, is seen escorting California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, into their plant where they discussed ways to strengthen the business climate in California. |
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NAM Waging Offensive Against Unfair Chinese Business Practices
Since 1986, economists have compared the price of McDonald’s Big Macs around the world to gauge if currencies are at their market level. Testifying at the House Small Business Committee, NAM Board member Jay Bender of Falcon Plastics, noted that, according to the ‘Big Max Index,’ the Chinese yuan is undervalued by 40 percent! |
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EFCO Corporation Receives Commerce’s Certificate of Export Excellence
EFCO Corporation recently hosted 140 diplomats, representing 71 countries, as part of Sen. Chuck Grassley's (R-IA) 10th biennial “Ambassadors Tour." The group visited Iowa businesses and educational institutions. Sen. Grassley is shown here, center, with Al Jennings (U.S. Commercial Service), left, presenting a Certificate of Excellence for Export Achievements to Martin Howes (EFCO Corporation) in Des Moines. | |