ShareThisNAMIC Leads the Way with CCP Program
Grassroots Advocacy
“If you don’t participate, if you decide to drop out, someone else will take your place. They will occupy your seat; they will cast your vote; they will choose your representative for you. Your representative will then speak for and represent the interests and views of the other fellow.”
U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, (R-Miss.)
Sponsored by NAMIC, the Congressional Contact Program (CCP) is the foundation of effective grassroots advocacy by NAMIC and is conducted in conjunction with state associations. CCP was the first state-specific grassroots-lobbying program in the insurance industry in Washington, D.C.
Now in its 18th year, CCP offers NAMIC members the opportunity to visit face-to-face with key legislators on Capitol Hill, building bipartisan relationships. This ongoing process permits NAMIC members to have a significant impact on legislation affecting the property/casualty insurance industry.
“One of our most important responsibilities here in D.C. is to continue to build upon the relationships that NAMIC members have already established at home with their congressional representatives,” said David Winston, vice president - federal affairs for NAMIC. “In order for anyone lobbying on Capitol Hill to get legislation passed, it is essential that support begins at the grassroots level,” said Winston.
The main focus of CCP is to educate legislators. Coming to Washington, D.C. to meet face-to-face with members of Congress is one of the most powerful tools at a constituent’s disposal. Throughout the years, NAMIC has been a valuable resource to Congress on issues like Gramm-Leach-Bliley, terrorism reinsurance legislation, class action reform, insurance regulation, asbestos and small company tax exemption.
CCP began in 1984 with one state, Kansas, that wanted to establish a closer relationship with their federal representatives. Today, more than 34 NAMIC member states come to Washington each year to lobby on Capitol Hill.
At the beginning of the 108th Congress, CCP was enhanced with the addition of in-district meetings. Each participating state travels to Capitol Hill once during a two-year political cycle. The other year is spent conducting local meetings at home. As we enter the second half of this political cycle, CCP will focus the in-district portion of the program solely on those members of Congress who sit on key committees such as the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee.
“We sincerely appreciate our members’ support and involvement in the program,” said Winston. “There is simply no substitute for face-to-face conversations between NAMIC members and our elected officials. Participation in CCP should be on every NAMIC member’s annual calendar. We look forward to an exciting year,” said Winston.
Posted: Monday, March 22, 2004 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Monday, April 12, 2004 11:08:47 AM.
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