Grassroots Advocacy – The Epicenter

NAMIC’s Congressional Contacts Program Provides Unique Opportunity for “Face Time”

By Georgiann M. Howell

Over the years, NAMIC has led the industry in the area of grassroots advocacy. The foundation of NAMIC’s grassroots is its Congressional Contact Program (CCP).

In partnership with property/casualty insurance company state associations, this program connects NAMIC members with their federal legislators and staff who make key decisions on legislation affecting NAMIC members during visits to Washington, D.C.

To maintain this strong connection, CCP has returned as an annual program in Washington D.C. “To be a key player on Capitol Hill, NAMIC members need to come to Washington every year – not every other year,” said David A. Winston, NAMIC senior vice president – federal affairs.

“Coming to Washington and meeting face-to-face with members of Congress is one of the most powerful tools at a constituent’s disposal,” said Winston “This ongoing process permits NAMIC and its member companies to have a significant impact on legislation affecting our industry.”

President Bush challenged Congress to send him a class action reform bill. Congress responded with S. 5, The Class Action Fairness Act, introduced by 33 senators on January 25, 2005, which overwhelmingly passed the Senate and the House of Representatives. President Bush signed S. 5 into law on February 18. This was merely one issue on NAMIC’s legislative agenda. Others include asbestos reform, insurance regulatory reform, an extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), and small property/casualty company taxation.

Get Involved!

You have undoubtedly heard the phrase: “Be politically involved, you can make a difference.”

Members of Congress want to hear how proposed legislation will affect their constituents because you know more about your company than anyone; Congress needs the benefit of your expertise! To further enhance its positive impact on legislative decisions like insurance regulation and tort reform, NAMIC is improving its legislative action network. The new legislative action network will consist of industry executives committed to building and maintaining strong personal relationships with their lawmakers and to communicating the association’s position on key public policy issues to these legislators. The tear card in this magazine asks you to provide us with information on how well you know your legislator. Simply fill out this very brief survey and send it back to NAMIC. As a charter member, or “Minuteman” of NAMIC’s legislative action network, you will be in the know at the critical moment when a call to action is necessary or when decisions are being made on issues like the federal regulation of insurance, legal reform, terrorism insurance, asbestos reform, and small property/casualty insurance company taxation. NAMIC will provide you the necessary tools such as an action alert notice to help educate your congressional representatives on these issues. “Becoming a valuable resource to your legislators creates an environment of mutual trust and respect. In doing so, these legislators often support you and NAMIC on crucial issues,” said Winston. “It is very important that you return this card.”

“CCP is the epicenter of NAMIC’s grassroots program. We sincerely appreciate our members’ support and involvement in the program,” said Winston. “Participation in CCP should be on every NAMIC member’s annual calendar. We look forward to a very exciting year,” said Winston.

Georgiann Howell is the communications director for NAMIC’s Washington, D.C, office. She also directs the Congressional Contact Program (CCP). During the past five years, Georgiann has effectively secured CCP as one of the top property/casualty insurance industry lobbying events on Capitol Hill. She is also in charge of NAMIC’s Legislative Action Network and Minuteman Program. Georgiann supports the Federal Affairs Department through local and national media, working closely in this role with her colleagues in the State and Regulatory Affairs Department.

Legislative Action Network

As a charter member, or “Minuteman” of NAMIC’s legislative action network, you will be in the know at the critical moment when a call to action is necessary or when decisions are being made on issues like the federal regulation of insurance, legal reform, terrorism insurance, asbestos reform and small property/casualty insurance company taxation. NAMIC will provide you the necessary tools such as an action alert notice to help educate your congressional representatives on these issues.

Posted: Friday, April 01, 2005 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 2:46:32 PM.

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We are 1,400 property/casualty insurance companies serving more than 135 million auto, home and business policyholders, with more than $196 billion in premiums accounting for 50 percent of the automobile/homeowners market and 31 percent of the business insurance market. We are the largest and most diverse property/casualty trade association in the country, with regional and local mutual insurance companies on main streets across America joining many of the country’s largest national insurers who also call NAMIC their home. More than 200,000 people are employed by NAMIC members.