WASHINGTON, D.C., March 8, 2007—Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), a rising star of the Democratic party and a member of House leadership as the Chief Deputy Whip, will speak to members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big “I”) during its Legislative Conference & Convention in April. Wasserman Schultz will address the Young Agents/InsurPac luncheon on April 25.
The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention is the insurance industry’s premier legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 25 through 27 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
“Rep. Wasserman Schultz has quickly risen to prominence as a leader in the House,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs and federal relations. “As a former member of the House Financial Services Committee, she is well versed in the issues that are important to independent agents and brokers, and we’re looking forward to hearing her thoughts on insurance regulation, natural disaster issues and other topics.”
Wasserman Schultz began her political career at age 26 as a member of the Florida House—the youngest female legislator in the history of Florida. She was elected to the House to represent Florida’s 20th district in 2004, and served on the House Financial Services Committee in her first term. In addition to her role in House Democrat leadership, she currently is a House Appropriations Subcommittee Chair and a member of the House Judiciary Committee. Additionally, she was recently named to head the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Frontline program, an effort designed to help vulnerable Democrats win reelection.
“Rep. Wasserman Schultz is well suited to speak to the Big “I” Young Agents and InsurPac chairs because she has made such a big impact so early in her political career,” says Nathan Riedel, Big “I” vice president of political affairs. “We know she will be able to share great insights into how our members can get involved in the political process.”
Each year during the legislative conference, Big “I” agents and brokers hold hundreds of meetings with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to share their perspective on how legislation affects their business. Top issues this year include the McCarran-Ferguson Act, insurance regulatory reform, terrorism risk insurance, natural disaster insurance and more.
Highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention include an in-depth issues briefing session, the industry’s largest trade show, the annual Big “I” congressional reception on Capitol Hill and appearances by numerous high-profile speakers, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Missouri). This year’s event will also include an interactive insurance panel discussion, with representatives from the industry, consumer groups and regulators tackling top insurance industry trends and challenges.
To register online and make hotel reservations go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link.
Founded in 1896, IIABA (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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