WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 17, 2010 —The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers (the Big “I”) today announced that Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Republican Chief Deputy Whip of the United States Senate, will address the association’s membership on March 4.
Sen. Burr will be a featured speaker at the legislative conference breakfast which occurs just prior to the association’s membership heading out for the annual Big “I” Day on Capitol Hill. Every year over a thousand agents visit Capitol Hill offices to lobby members of the House, Senate and their staffs on issues that directly impact independent agents and consumers.
“The Big ‘I’ is pleased that Sen. Burr will be kicking off our annual agent pilgrimage to Capitol Hill,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “We’re looking forward to hearing his insights on health care reform, financial services regulation and other important topics facing our members, their businesses and our nation.”
Sen. Richard Burr is a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee which shares health care jurisdiction in the Senate with the Finance Committee. He also currently serves as ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee where his commitment to veterans and health care reform continues as he works to improve the quality of health care and service for veterans. Sen. Burr also serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee; the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and the Indian Affairs Committee. Sen. Burr is in his first term representing the Tar Heel State and was previously in the wholesale commercial products industry.
“Sen. Burr has been a longtime friend of our small business owners in his home state of North Carolina, and his experience in business and his commitment to real health care reform will provide an important perspective that our members nationwide will appreciate,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs. “As the Republican Chief Deputy Whip and a leader on a number of important committees, this rising star continues to make his mark on important policy decisions.”
The Big “I” National Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place March 3-5 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The legislative conference is an opportunity for Big “I” agents and brokers to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include: insurance regulatory reform, agent licensing reform, health insurance reform, taxes, natural disaster issues, and other challenges and opportunities facing the independent agency system.
Other highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will include in-depth issues briefing sessions; appearances by numerous high-profile speakers discussing important insurance and national issues confronting lawmakers as well as agents and brokers; a CEO panel comprised of top carrier presidents & CEOs (CNA, The Hartford, Fireman’s Fund and Safeco to participate) and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.
For registration and hotel information, go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link. Journalists interested in attending, please contact Margarita Tapia, director of public affairs, at (800) 221-7917 or margarita.tapia@iiaba.net for media registration.
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, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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