Engineering Inc. - July/August 2008 - (Page 32)

Members Conduct Nearly 200 Congressional Office Visits; Boost Support to Repeal 3 Percent Mandate rep. joseph Knollenberg (r-Mich.), left, meets with aCeC members in his Capitol hill office. Pictured from left to right: legislative assistant eric Brown; Daniel Fredendall of orchard, hiltz & McCliment; Walter alix of hubbell, roth & Clark; and jay Shah of Somat engineering. Floyd Damron (left), vice president of Ch2M hill, and Mike rabe, principal of CrW engineering Group, meet with Sen. lisa Murkowski (r-alaska), who recently signed on as a co-sponsor of legislation to repeal the 3 percent withholding mandate. Senate republican leader Mitch McConnell (r-Ky.) greets Karen Wood of hMB Professional engineers, inc., and Craig avery (center) of Stantec, lexington, Ky., during a visit to McConnell’s office. ACEC’s “citizen lobbyists” conducted nearly 200 visits to congressional offices to support important ACEC legislative initiatives and secured additional supporters for the repeal of the onerous 3 percent withholding mandate, along with funding for transportation and water infrastructure. “I love this type of direct impact—that’s what makes it fun,” said ACEC/Oregon President Mel Sears of Parametrix, Inc., whose visit to an Oregon House member helped secure a new co-sponsor for the 3 percent repeal legislation. The bill, H.R. 1023, is now approaching 250 co-sponsors. The Convention’s advocacy program kicked off with an address from Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), who advised ACEC members on transportation and water infrastructure issues prior to their Capitol Hill visits. On the other side of the Rotunda, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and David Vitter (R-La.) offered perspectives on key issues and the presidential race for members of ACEC’s Capitol Club, Chairman’s Club and Millennium Club during a Senate luncheon. ACEC/PAC Convention Support Strong; Costello Underscores Infrastructure Priorities at Fundraiser rep. Daniel lipinski (D-ill.), left, discusses infrastructure funding with aCeC members (left to right) Daniel Ceechi, united technologies Corp., and james Messmore and john Coombe, both of hanson Professional Services. lipinski is a member of the house transportation and infrastructure Committee. ACEC/PAC raised more than $110,000 through Convention fundraising events, matching the all-time Annual Convention record. Newly appointed ACEC/PAC national co-chairs, Tom Ahneman of Ahneman Kirby, LLC, in Connecticut and Jerry Stump of Wilbur Smith Associates in Tennessee, were impressed by the strong show of support. “This is phenomenal,” said Ahneman. “The contributions raised through the Convention fundraising events indicate that ACEC members truly understand the importance of our political program.” “I have no doubt that 2008 will be 32 ENGINEERING INC. JULY / AUGUST 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - July/August 2008

Engineering Inc. - July/August 2008 Table of Contents From ACEC to You News & Notes Market Watch Legislative Action Congressman Kendrick Meek Going Global 2008 Professional Liability Insurance Survey Bridging the Gap 2008 Convention Wrap Up 2008-2009 Executive Committee 2008 Fall Conference Primer Business Insights Members in the News One on One

Engineering Inc. - July/August 2008

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