WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 9, 2017—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) will address the association’s membership on Thursday, May 4, 2017.
Sen. Manchin 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 honored that Sen. Joe Manchin will be addressing our members the morning of our annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “Sen. Manchin is a true statesman and a ‘Blue Dog Democrat’ known for his commitment to small business. We look forward to hearing his outlook on key issues as our agents prepare to meet with their federal representatives.”
Sen. Manchin was sworn into the U.S. Senate on Nov. 15, 2010 to fill the seat left vacant by the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-West Virginia). He currently serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. In addition to his numerous committee leadership roles, Sen. Manchin is a vocal supporter of small business and fiscal responsibility. He previously served as West Virginia’s Governor, Secretary of State and as a state legislator. Prior to his career in public service, he was a businessman. Sen. Manchin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from West Virginia University.
“Sen. Manchin has long been engaged on a number of issues important to our membership,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs. “As an outspoken voice for small business and a former businessman himself, he understands that these issues are critical to independent insurance agencies and small businesses in West Virginia and across the country.”
The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place May 3-5 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Downtown Hotel.
The legislative conference is an opportunity for Big “I” members to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), health care, tax reform, insurance regulatory reform, Risk Retention Act Expansion, the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) and other economic challenges facing independent insurance agents and their clients.
Journalists interested in attending, please register online, 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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