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The Signal | March/April 2017
Safer Roads Save Lives
ATSSA member’s incredible reputation on
Capitol Hill
Regarding ATSSA’s Government Relations activities, Ricker
reported that there were 180 meetings conducted by ATSSA staff in
2016 and that the government relations team would now be able to
deliver a more comprehensive policy and advocacy piece to members
through an increased focus on local issues that includes the addition
of a new staff member who will focus on state government relations
activities.
Sawyer noted that, “ATSSA’s Government Relations staff has built
an incredible reputation in Washington, D.C. over the last decade to
effectively position ATSSA as the industry’s recognized leader in
roadway safety.”
Ricker responded, “Our members have clout on Capitol Hill due to
the incredible work that’s been done in Washington, D.C. both by
ATSSA staff and by ATSSA members themselves, especially during
our spring Fly-Ins.”
Ricker encouraged attendees to stay involved in government
relations activities by being part of ATSSA’s next Legislative
Briefing and Fly-In, which takes place in Washington, D.C., May 3-4.
According to Ricker, Congressional visits to ATSSA member
companies is another way ATSSA members can engaged in
government relations activities throughout the year.
“These visits are an incredible way for our members to meet on their
home turf, introduce their employees, and demonstrate what they do
and how they manufacture their products that help save lives,”
Ricker said.
During 2016, there were several Congressional site visits to ATSSA
member companies.
Those visits included Rep. Bradley Byrne’s (R-Ala.) visit Vulcan Inc.,
a Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas, and then presidential candidate) rally
at Lakeside Plastics, Sen. Ben Cardin’s (D-Md.) visit to Flagger
Force, Rep. Dave Brat’s (R-Va.) visit to Korman Signs, Rep. Rob
Woodall’s (R-Ga.) visit to Magnolia Advanced Materials, Rep. Brett
Guthrie’s (R-Ky.) visit to Site-Safe, Rep. Tom Reed’s (R-N.Y.) visit to
Elderlee, and Rep. Ryan Costello (R-Pa.) and Speaker Paul Ryan’s
visit to J-Tech.
To wrap up the Chairman’s Report portion of the session, both
Sawyer and Ricker covered several other items of interest for ATSSA
members, including the upcoming 2017 Leadership Program and the
importance of the ATSSA PAC.
The Foundation’s record breaking year
The second half of the session included a dialogue between Sawyer
and The Foundation’s President Tom Wood.
Wood expressed his deepest gratitude to participants and sponsors of
The Foundation’s two biggest fundraisers—The Foundation’s 26th
Annual Golf Classic Tournament (sponsored by Potters Industries),
and The Foundation’s Fifth Annual Sporting Clays Event (sponsored
by PEXCO).
ATSSA Chair-Elect Juan Arvizu (left) introduced Arizona Congressman Thomas
Charles “Tom” O’Halleran to a wide range of exhibitor products and services on
the show floor during his Feb. 12 visit to the Annual Convention. One of the booths
visited was MRL Equipment Company, where MRL President and General
Manager Jim Spielman (right) greeted the visitors.
ATSSA Board Member Ron Sims (right) discusses roadway safety with Arizona
Congressman Tom O’Halleran during the association’s PAC Reception, held on
Feb. 12. Nearly $18,000 was raised that evening to help ATSSA and its members
advance roadway safety on Capitol Hill and in jurisdictions across
the country.
“These visits are an incredible way for our
members to meet on their home turf,
introduce their employees, and demonstrate
what they do and how they manufacture their
products that help save lives,” Ricker said.
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