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REP. KINGSTON DISCUSSES KATRINA RESPONSE AT BIG “I” CONVENTION
Georgia representative speaks to more than 150 invited agent, broker and insurance company leaders
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 26, 2005—Congressman Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) discussed the Congressional reaction to Hurricane Katrina before more than 150 insurance industry leaders, the company CEOs and executives from the largest agency and brokerage firms in the country at the Large Agents/Brokers and CEO Dinner, held recently at the Big “I” Convention in New York City.
Kingston, a seven-term congressman from Georgia’s 1st District and vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, focused on the paramount importance of quick and effective response in the face of a catastrophe. Kingston also discussed the necessity of having a federal backstop in place for terrorism insurance by the end of the year, and said the Big “I” will be critical in making that happen.
Kingston also discussed flood insurance, claims issues, the economy, terrorism and Iraq, and much more.
“Jack Kingston is the only member of Congress who holds the CPCU designation, and his speech showed the very deep knowledge and sophisticated understanding he has of the insurance industry,” said Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “His insights were particularly valuable due to his real grasp on the insurance industry.”
“As a former Palmer & Cay agent and Big “I” member, Jack Kingston is one of the most knowledgeable members of Congress on insurance issues,” Rusbuldt added. “It is refreshing to hear a member of Congress who truly understands the intricacies of our business.”
Also at the dinner, Rusbuldt discussed the Big “I” Katrina Relief Fund, and the significance and scope of the insurance industry’s response to the hurricane. “Helping our industry colleagues, their families and their communities is what we are all about. The Big “I” established the Relief Fund to concentrate on assisting our industry colleagues and their families get back on their feet quickly so they can help their customers,” Rusbuldt said.
“This dinner was an invaluable opportunity for the leaders of the insurance industry to get together and discuss issues important to their businesses,” said E. Donald Lewis, chairman of IIABA’s Agents & Brokers Roundtable and president, USI New England. “It’s not every day that the top CEOs and the biggest independent agents and brokers get together and talk about what really matters. Congressman Kingston provided us with a valuable insight into the Congressional perspective on important insurance issues. We look forward to similar events in the future.”
Founded in 1896, the Big “I” 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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