Masonry Magazine May 2006 Page. 24
MCAA - Convention Review
MAC PAC
The MAC PAC fundraiser reception was an excellent opportunity for MCAA members, officers and staff to gather for networking and a good cause. Contributions raised at the event went directly to the MCA PAC fund, which supports pro-masonry candidates in the 2006 elections. With such a variety of important issues being brought to light this year-such as immigration, OSHA, tort and tax reform; elimination of the death tax; and Social Security and Association Health Plan legislation - it's more important than ever for members to support MAC PAC. It was also a great opportunity for members to meet Jessica Johnson Bennett, MCAA's new director of Government Affairs, who spoke earlier in the day at the Annual Meeting about the Association's strategies and goals for the coming year.
Opening Session
On Wednesday morning, MCAA hosted the opening session breakfast at the grand Venetian Hotel. Griffin officially welcomed attendees to the 56th annual convention and started the morning's activities by giving his State of the Association address (see April 2006, pg. 22). Then, Jim Morris - known as the "Oldest Rookie" in Major League Baseball (MLB)-entertained guests with inspirational stories of his transformation from a relatively unknown high school baseball coach in his late thirties into a MLB pitcher capable of throwing 98-mph fastballs. A role model to millions, he spoke of how his grandfather inspired him at an early age. Morris recalled how his grandfather once said to him, "If there's a door of opportunity, you don't walk through it, you run through it." He said that, after matur-
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