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July 30, 2007

The 2007 IBEW Political/Legislative Conference opened today with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

After welcoming remarks from Rick Diegel, director of the IBEW’s Political/Legislative Affairs Department, conference attendees heard from the IBEW’s leaders, International President Edwin D. Hill and International-Secretary Treasurer Jon F. Walters.  Hill gave an impassioned analysis of the social, economic and political factors that have undermined the American middle class and stressed that only a combination of organizing and political action can help build back the standard of living and opportunity for advancement that once were the birthright of all Americans.  He asserted the importance of union members getting involved in the political process, especially running for office at all levels of government, stressing that working people needed legislators who would not cave to corporate pressure. Click here to view video highlights of President Hill’s remarks.

Walters decried the shameful state of health care in the United States and vowed that the IBEW would be part of the solution.  He asserted that only a national solution can resolve the crisis and help restore America’s competitiveness in the world.   Walters emphasized the need for year-round political mobilization so that working families will be in better position to elect common-sense officials who will look out for the public interest. Click here to view video highlights of Secretary-Treasurer Walters’s remarks.

IBEW staff gave presentations on the convincing members of the importance of politics in their lives, updates on key legislative issues including climate change, immigration and trade, and a briefing on legal issues that have an impact on alocal union’s political activities and fundraising.

Guest speakers for the day were:

• U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn, (D-MD) [video]
  
• Karen Ackerman, AFL-CIO Political Director
  
• Nathan Daschle, Executive Director, Democratic Governors Association
  
• Hon. Bobby Zirkin, Maryland State Senator [video]
  
• Hon. Timothy Green, Missouri State Senator and member, IBEW Local 1 [video]
  
• Melanie Sloan, Executive Director, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington [video]
  
• Rob Engel, La Fave & Associates, on the subject of redistricting.