Independent Agents, Brokers to Meet in Washington, D.C.

December 14, 2001

Nearly 800 independent insurance agents and brokers will come together in the nation’s capital April 10-12 for the 26th Annual Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA) National Legislative Conference.

The 2002 IIAA National Legislative Conference, the insurance industry’s largest legislative gathering, will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.

Highlights will include an in-depth issues briefing session, the eighth annual IIAA Congressional Reception, appearances by numerous high-profile political speakers discussing the important insurance and national issues confronting lawmakers and agents in Washington, and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between IIAA agents and their elected representatives in Congress.

“The 2002 legislative agenda will spotlight a number of agent and broker issues, including insurance regulation, tax cuts for small businesses, health insurance and managed care reform, medical and insurance privacy, retirement reform, natural disaster reform, flood insurance reform, and several other pressing concerns,” said IIAA President Thomas B. Ahart, president of Ahart, Frinzi & Smith of Phillipsburg, N.J. “Because next year is an election year, it will be important for agents and brokers to come to Washington for the National Legislative Conference so that they can impress on their elected representatives on Capitol Hill the need for action or inaction on these industry concerns. Direct agent and broker involvement could push one or more of these issues over the top.”

Throughout the past 25 years, independent agents and brokers attending IIAA’s annual legislative meeting have heard from many prominent political leaders, including the last three sitting presidents-Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Bill Clinton-and then-Vice President Dan Quayle.

Attendees also have heard from Capitol Hill political luminaries, including former vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.); former Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.); Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.); the last three House Speakers-Reps. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), Denny Hastert (R-Ill.), and Tom Foley (D-Wash.); current Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.); former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-Maine); House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas); House Majority Whip Tom Delay (R-Texas); and Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

Similarly placed congressional leaders will address the 2002 IIAA legislative gathering.

Topics Agencies Washington

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