CHAIRMAN RICHARD BAKER TO SPEAK AT BIG “I” NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE
Chair of Insurance Subcommittee to speak at April 22 breakfast
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 30—Congressman Richard H. Baker (R-La.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee subcommittee with jurisdiction over insurance issues, will speak to members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) during their National Legislative Conference next month.
Baker will speak at a breakfast April 22 to more than 900 independent agents and brokers from across the country who will be attending the Big “I” National Legislative Conference. Participants also will include agent and broker leaders from Baker’s home state.
The Big “I” National Legislative Conference is the industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 21 through 23 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.
Baker is the chairman of the Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee.
“Congressman Baker is a strong and vocal leader on issues that affect our members, particularly the discussion on Capitol Hill about how to modernize and streamline insurance regulation,” says Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “He and Financial Services Committee Chairman Mike Oxley (R-Ohio) recently unveiled a “road map” proposal for reforming state insurance regulation that the Big ‘I’ supports.
“As subcommittee chairman, he will begin the process of shepherding their middle-ground reform plan through his panel before it is considered by the full committee. Big ‘I’ members will be most interested in his thoughts on the reform blueprint and the steps that must be navigated in the weeks and months ahead. Richard Baker will have a huge impact on the future of insurance regulation and the future of independent agents and brokers all over America,” says Rusbuldt.
Prior to being elected to Congress in 1986, Baker served 15 years as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. In addition to the subcommittee he chairs, Baker also serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans’ Affairs committees.
“Congressman Baker is one of the most dynamic speakers in Congress. But more importantly, he is chairman of the insurance subcommittee in the House of Representatives, and he is crafting a proposal that will make state regulation more efficient for our members and our customers,” says Big “I” Senior Vice President of Federal Government Affairs Charles E. Symington Jr. “He has been a champion on other agent issues such as natural disaster reform and flood insurance reauthorization, and our members look forward to his thoughts on the challenges ahead.”
Highlights of the Big “I” National Legislative Conference will include an in-depth issues briefing session; the annual Big “I” congressional reception on Capitol Hill; appearances by numerous high-profile speakers discussing important insurance and national issues confronting lawmakers as well as agents and brokers in Washington, D.C.; and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.
Other prominent political and legislative leaders speaking to agents and brokers at the Big “I” event are Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Barney Frank (D-Mass.). Also, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Don Nickles (R-Okla.) will address the Big “I” leadership during the annual Insiders’ Luncheon held immediately prior to the legislative conference.
The legislative meeting provides an excellent opportunity for agents and brokers to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include insurance regulatory reform, tort reform, passage of a flood insurance reauthorization and reform bill, and changes in the tax treatment of intangible assets.
To register online and make hotel reservations go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link.
Founded in 1896, IIABA is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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