WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 26, 2019— The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I") today announced that House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts) will address the association's membership on Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Chairman Neal will be a keynote speaker at the Big “I" Legislative Conference breakfast which occurs just prior to the association's annual day on Capitol Hill. The event will also include remarks by a Republican lawmaker. Every year, agents and brokers visit Capitol Hill offices to educate members of the Senate, House and their staff on issues that directly impact independent insurance agents, brokers and the consumers they serve.
“Big 'I' Chairman Joe Leahy has known Chairman Neal since the early 1970s—another example of the strong relationships Big 'I' members have with their members of Congress," says Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I" president & CEO. “Chairman Neal understands the role small businesses play in our economy and appreciates what independent agents do every day to strengthen their communities."
Richard Neal was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1988 and since January 2019 has served as chairman of the powerful tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. Chairman Neal is the dean of both the Massachusetts Delegation and the New England Congressional Delegation. Prior to serving in Congress, Chairman Neal was the mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts from 1984 to 1988.
“We are honored to have the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee—the oldest committee in Congress—speaking to our members." says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I" senior vice president for external, industry and government affairs. “Chairman Neal will be the lead on issues ranging from taxes to health care to trade and we look forward to hearing his thoughts on topics important to independent agents and brokers and their clients."
The Big “I" Legislative Conference is the insurance industry's best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year's event will take place May 8-10 at the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel.
The Legislative Conference is an opportunity for Big “I" members to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include the NFIP, TRIA, data security/privacy, crop insurance, health care and insurance regulatory reform.
Journalists interested in attending can register online, or contact Katie Butler for media registration.
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I") is the nation's oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing more than 25,000 agency locations united under the Trusted Choice brand. Trusted Choice independent agents offer consumers all types of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products—from a variety of insurance companies.
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