WASHINGTON, D.C., March 27, 2014 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), will address the association’s membership on Thursday, April 10, 2014.
Rep. Israel will be a keynote speaker at the legislative conference breakfast which occurs just prior to the association’s annual Big “I” Day on Capitol Hill. 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.
“The Big ‘I’ is excited to announce that Rep. Israel will address our members the morning of our annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “As one of the top leaders in the House of Representatives, Rep. Israel’s perspective is of the utmost importance and interest to our association. We look forward to hearing his outlook on some key issues as our agents prepare to meet with their elected representatives.”
Rep. Israel has served in the House of Representatives since 2001. He represents New York’s third Congressional District which includes the communities of Huntington, North Hempstead, Queens, Oyster Bay and Smithtown. He is a rising political star with a history of working in a bipartisan fashion. Rep. Israel earned a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
“Rep. Israel’s support for independent agents over the years has been steadfast and strong,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs. “Whether it is terrorism insurance, flood insurance, or agent licensing reform, his commitment to our small business membership has been consistent throughout his service in Congress. We look forward to hearing his perspective on the important issues facing our industry in 2014.”
The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
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: terrorism risk insurance, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), agent licensing reform, health insurance, insurance regulatory reform, tax reform and other economic challenges facing independent insurance agents and the industry.
Other highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference 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 and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.
Journalists interested in attending, please send an email to
margarita.tapia@iiaba.net or call (703) 706-5473 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 approximately a quarter of a million 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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