PIA's fifth annual Political Involvement and Advocacy Month has drawn to a
successful close as Congress is set to reconvene. Agents across the country
met with their Representatives and Senators, as well as with candidates for
Congress in the fall elections.
During this year's August meetings, PIA members nationwide used this opportunity
to meet with their elected officials in their districts to discuss issues
pertinent to our industry including support for a five-year extension of the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); natural catastrophe legislation; crop
insurance; producer licensing; and PIA's steadfast opposition to federal insurance
regulation, including a so-called optional federal charter for insurers and
producers.
As in previous years, PIA of Louisiana members stepped up and spoke out on behalf
of our association to make Political Involvement and Advocacy Month a success
once again.
"We had some very productive meetings with our members of Congress," said
Gene Galligan, 2010-2011 President-elect of PIA of Louisiana. Galligan and past
PIA of Louisiana Board member Barry White met on August 26 with Rep. Rodney
Alexander (R-La.). "Our lawmakers were very sympathetic and responsive to the
concerns of PIA."
PIA Members Bring Capitol Hill to Their Backyards. PIA of Louisiana
President-elect Gene Galligan of Monroe, Louisiana (left) with Rep. Rodney
Alexander (R-La.) (center) and past PIA of Louisiana Board member Barry White.
PIA of Louisiana was represented in other district meetings as well. PIA of
Louisiana Secretary-Treasurer Manuel DePascual (Alliance Insurance Agency, Metairie)
and Board Member David "Moose" Bulloch (Speed - Stiel Insurance Services, Hammond)
met with Representative Steve Scalise (R-La, 1st District); PIA of Louisiana Past
Presidents Dale Spaht (Fife-Spaht-Carmouche Insurance Agency, Gonzales) and Jared
"Butsy" Martin (G. Martin Insurance, Lutcher) met with Representative Charlie
Melancon (D-La, 3rd District); and Don Fearn (Mid - City Insurance Agency,
New Orleans), Pat LeBoeuf and Board Member Patrick LeBoeuf (both of Pat LeBoeuf
Insurance, Westwego) met with Congressman Cao (R-La, 2nd District).
PIA Members Bring Capitol Hill to Their Backyards.
PIA of Louisiana Board Member Patrick LeBoeuf (left) with Don Fearn, Rep.
Joseph "Anh" Cao (R-La.) and Pat LeBoeuf
A major push will be made next year by advocates of federal insurance regulation
to get Congress to enact an optional federal charter. PIA is adamantly opposed to
optional federal charters and to any federal encroachment on the right of states
to regulate insurance. PIA members reminded members of Congress and congressional
candidates during their August meetings that America's Main Street insurance agents
expect them to vote "no" on the so-called optional federal charter — no excuses
and no compromises.
To learn more about PIA's Issues of Focus please visit National's website at
www.pianet.com.
The issues facing professional insurance agents today require PIA members to inform
Congress of the challenges and realities of the growing number of congressional
insurance proposals, and we thank our members for making PIA's voice heard!