L A S T W O R D

Here’s to You!

By David A. Winston, J.D.
Senior Vice President - Federal Affairs

On Feb. 18, President Bush signed into law the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005.

When President Bush signed the act, it was an important victory and a major step toward eliminating “judicial hellholes” and ending the lawsuit lottery. Because of its passage, most multi-state class action lawsuits will now be heard in federal courts, and “forum-shopping” will, finally, end.

NAMIC members should feel proud of this well-earned victory. Thanks in part to the active involvement of NAMIC members and the effective advocacy by the NAMIC staff, the tides in Washington have begun to turn. During annual visits to Capitol Hill, through NAMIC’s unique Congressional Contact Program (CCP), this issue was always discussed. NAMIC actively supported pro-class action reform candidates through its Political Action Committee (PAC). These two programs are integral to NAMIC’s success on future initiatives; and with your support, NAMIC will continue to fight for major reform in the areas of asbestos litigation, civil justice reform, medical malpractice liability reform and product liability reform. The victory in no way lessens NAMIC’s resolve to work for further changes to a legal system that is still, in so many ways, in need of repair.

To keep the momentum going, please join NAMIC in thanking those members of Congress who voted for the Class Action Fairness Act. Let those who voted against it know that you’re disappointed. And even better, I encourage you to share with your employees how your congressional delegation voted on this important issue. Mark your calendar and plan to attend when your state’s CCP delegation visits Washington D.C. Fill out the tear card attached in this magazine and send it in so that NAMIC can contact you when it needs your active support on important issues. If you remain silent, you’re squandering NAMIC’s immense political capital. With each person and each visit, we become a bigger force. We need that strength and momentum to face the contentious issues that are still ahead of us.

NAMIC is steadfastly committed to working for you, your company, the industry and consumers.

Here’s to future victories!

Posted: Friday, April 01, 2005 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 2:48:16 PM.

(317) 875-5250 - Indianapolis | (202) 628-1558 - Washington, D.C.

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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.