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Baseball, congressional visits, geosynthetics promotion on the agenda
By Ron Bygness
With fall fast approaching, the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) is gearing up for its semi-annual Lobby Day visits with Members of Congress, Sept. 18–19, 2013.
GMA members will strategize and network starting with a 5 p.m. meeting Sept. 18 at the Capitol Hill Club, followed by a baseball outing to Nationals Park for a Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves game.
The next morning, GMA leaders and members, plus principals from the Whitmer & Worrell firm, will head to Capitol Hill for their all-day meetings with members of the U.S. Senate and House and their staffs.
Issues raised by the GMA contingents include: the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) re-authorization bill, geosynthetic environmental and engineering solutions for the shale gas extraction industry and coal-ash containment issues, as well as continued relationship-building with Members of Congress.
“It is exciting to see the progress GMA has achieved with our Lobby Day events,” said Boyd Ramsey, GMA’s Executive Council chairman. “Our activities on Capitol Hill have enabled us to actively contribute to legislative actions that impact the geosynthetics market, such as WRDA, the transportation bill, and coal ash containment issues. Moreover, we are pleased to welcome the participation of other industry groups such as the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) and others in our Lobby Day activities. Complementary industry segments that find common ground to unite behind the effective message of geosynthetic products’ contributions to American infrastructure can make powerful statements in Washington, D.C.,” said Ramsey
“The investment GMA members make by participating in Lobby Day activities results in developing strong relationships with their congressional delegations, influencing key legislative bills that impact the geosynthetic market, and expanding the industry by educating Capitol Hill about the benefits of our members’ products,” said Lucie Passus, associate director of technical markets—including the GMA division—at the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI).
Fall Lobby Day 2013 is open to all GMA members. To attend, or for more information, contact Linden Wicklund: +1 651 225 6920, llwicklund@ifai.com.