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The
2005 Legislative Fly-In is Underway WASHINGTON,
March 14, 2005 - With agricultural budget cuts and much needed improvements to
rural medical care, telecommunications, education and transportation at the forefront
of many rural American's minds, the National Grange is hosting its annual Legislative
Fly-in today at the Capitol Hill Club. More than 150 Grange members, including
farmers and ranchers, from more than 38 states will be in Washington, D.C. in
an effort to inform Congress about the issues facing rural America and how these
issues affect all Americans. Fly-in
participants will have the opportunity to listen to several panel discussions
about renewable energy, Social Security and Medicare reform, as well as rural
telecommunications and transportation issues. The following are a list of panel
discussions and speakers: Renewable
Energy in the 21st Century
Speaker: Michael T. Eckhart, President, American
Council on Renewable Energy | Challenges
Facing Rural Seniors with Implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act Speaker:
Nona Bear | Telecommunications
Reform and Promise
Speaker: Walter B. McCormick, President and CEO, United
States Telecom Association | Transportation
Issues and the Future of the Federal Highway Program
Speaker: Greg Cohen,
President and CEO, American Highway Users Alliance | Social
Security Reform: Myth vs. Reality
Speaker panel: Chip Hardin, President,
Michelle Plasari, Vice President and Al Cors, Jr., Director of Government Affairs
- RetireSafe | Food
and Drug Administration Reform
Speaker Dolly A. Judge, Senior Director,
Federal Relations, Pfizer, Inc. |
On
March 15, Fly-in participants will have the opportunity to meet with their Congressional
representatives to voice their concerns. More than 200 meetings have been scheduled.
During these meetings, Grange members will ask Congress to reevaluate agricultural
budget cuts outlined in President Bush's budget proposal, consider the needs of
rural American when reforming Social Security and move on legislation effecting
renewable energy. "Our
Legislative Fly-in is a true example of grassroots advocacy," National Grange
President William Steel said. "The Grange has always been at the forefront of
improving rural America, and we will continue to be at the forefront as long as
Congress continues to ignore our needs." For
information on how to obtain a media pass to attend the panel discussions, please
contact Shaletta Espie at 443-418-8225.
Established in 1867, the National Grange is America's oldest rural and agriculture
advocacy organization in the United States. The Grange represents the interests
of more than 200,000 farmers, ranchers, and rural citizens. |
