these efforts are critical to our
company’s and our industry’s future.”
Early feedback on the meetings
suggests members of Congress and their
staff were engaged and knowledgeable
about ACA’s issues. In fact, several
lawmakers and staffers expressed interest
in continuing the dialogue. Each
member of Congress and staff person
who met with an ACA member received
a follow-up letter. ACA staff members
will stay in communication with these
individuals to build upon the important
work accomplished during the fly-in.
As part of the fly-in, Sen. John
Thune (R-S.D.), Rep. Dennis Moore
(D-Kan.), and Sen. Charles Grassley (
R-Iowa) addressed members at ACA’s
Federal Government Affairs Office.
Moore emphasized the importance of
overcoming partisanship to find
common ground to accomplish goals set
by the American people.
Thune focused on the anti-business
sentiment pervasive in Congress and
noted the role of the Senate in
preventing anti-business sentiment from
becoming enacted legislation.
Grassley, who came to ACA’s office
during a break in the health care bill
markup, provided focused insight into
proposed health care legislation and the
direction and state of health care reform.
ACA is following up on various
requests stemming from the fly-in and
open house and continuing to press
forward on its agenda. Please visit
http://www.acainternational.org/
governmentaffairs for more detailed
information on the issues critical to the
industry and ways in which you can
help. cm
Alexandra Adair is ACA International’s
government affairs specialist.
Top left: Vice President Mark Neeb, Executive Vice
President and General Counsel Rozanne Andersen,
Past President Jay Gonsalves, President Karolyn
Rubin, Treasurer Tom Stockton and CEO Gary
Rippentrop (not pictured: President-Elect Martin
Sher).
Top right: President Karolyn Rubin thanked ACA
members and guests before cutting the red ribbon.
Middle right: Rep. Dennis Moore addressed fly-in
participants.
Bottom right: ACA members and staff gathered
outside the Washington, D.C., office for the grand
opening ribbon-cutting ceremony.
November 2009 Collector I 37