Masonry Magazine August 2005 Page. 14
MCAA'S 2005 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE
When G. Alan Griffin took office as the Mason Contractors Association of America's (MCAA) President, one of his goals was to reinstate the Legislative Conference. After months of planning - as well as quite a few phone calls and merciless legwork by Marian (MJ) Marshall, MCAA's Director of Government Affairs the MCAA was able to not only achieve Griffin's goal, but also set a far-reaching example of what can be accomplished by a united masonry coalition in the U.S. political arena.
June 26-28, the executive staff and board members of MCAA and the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), members of the Masonry Industry Executive Council, and mason contractors from across the nation gathered in Washington, D.C., to make a resounding statement with representatives on Capitol Hill and members of the White House executive staff.
Legislative Conference participants met with over a dozen key players in the national fight for fair Social Security reform, solutions to immigration and workforce issues, health care initiatives, Association Health Plans (AHPs) and other issues that have a direct impact on mason contractors.
In turn, representatives met with over 50 key constituents in the masonry industry looking to get their voices heard, pertinent issues addressed and lasting relationships established.
While these concepts sound like a lot to accomplish in a day and a half, participants and representatives achieved all of this and more. Despite party lines, those who came with reservations in their hearts, aching feet and 95-degree temperatures, the masonry industry pulled together and let their strong, collective voice be heard throughout the nation's capital.
And, although a picture tells a thousand words, the images and text that follow are only a mere introduction into all that was realized. For those in the industry who did not participate, the only way to truly grasp the full experience is to simply take part next year.
www.masoncontractors.org
Text and Photos by Jennie Farnsworth
12 Masonry August 2005