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Advocatevolume 19, Number 3 May/June 2005 Start Spreading the Views Washington Presentation Attendees Hear First-Hand from Policymakers ADVOCATEVolume 19, Number 3 May/June 2005 Start Spreading the Views Washington Presentation attendees hear first-hand from policymakers By Rob Yunich After Perlowitz Director of Communications received her award, s the weather warmed in our political commenta- Nation’s Capital, NSBA turned tor Charlie Cook Aup the heat on its advocacy spoke to the group efforts. Although advocacy remains a about the 2004 pres- constant for the organization, idential elections, NSBA’s annual Washington 2006 mid-term elec- Presentation gives attendees a chance tions, and 2008 pres- to take their activism to the source— idential elections. and meet with elected officials to Cook is editor voice their opinions and, in some and publisher of cases, frustration. The Cook Political The 2005 event included the Report, and political presentation of the Small Business analyst for the Advocate of the Year award to National Journal Valerie Perlowitz of Vienna, Va., Group, where he PHOTO BY ROB YUNICH president and chief executive officer writes weekly for NSBA Chair Malcolm Outlaw presents the Small Business of Reliable Integration Services, Inc. National Journal Advocate of the Year Award to Valerie Perlowitz during the Perlowitz founded the company in magazine and opening luncheon of the the 2005 Washington Presentation. 1988. (More information about CongressDailyAM. He also writes a questions from the audience. Perlowitz can be found on p. 7.) regular column for the Washington Reardon reviewed President During the search for this year’s Quarterly and is a political analyst for George W. Bush’s recent proposal to winner, NSBA looked for a small NBC News. reform Social Security and also business owner who demonstrated a “Charlie’s unique, honest and updated attendees about the presi- commitment to small business advo- informative insights to the political dent’s Advisory Panel on Tax cacy; a proven history of voluntary world are often-times humorous and Reform, which is examining numer- efforts and endeavors to advance laugh-provoking—something that ous proposals to reform the current small business and improve the con- Charlie has a definite talent for when tax system. One of the ideas they are ditions for small business owners; discussing political issues that would researching is the Fair Tax, which and success and growth as a small drive most listeners to tears,” said NSBA endorses and was voted the business owner. Mark Deion, who co-chaired the organization’s top priority by its Perlowitz fit the bill perfectly, and event with Dee Smith. members. was rewarded for her distinguished “The Washington Presentation The Fair Tax, first introduced by history of advocacy in Northern exceeded my expectations. It was John Linder (R-Ga.), would impose Virginia and across the United States. gratifying to see small business a 23-percent, single rate, national NSBA will be launching the owners from across the nation take retail sales tax and replace the indi- search for the 2006 Small Business the time out of their busy schedules vidual federal income tax, the capital Advocate of the Year in the near to bring their concerns to gains tax, all payroll taxes, corporate future. Look for updates at nsba.biz. Washington, D.C.,” Smith said. income taxes, the self-employment Following Cook’s speech, the tax, and the estate and gift taxes. Inside the Advocate group headed to Presidential Hall in During the question-and-answer Ultimate Capitol Experience (p. 4). the White House Complex, where session, Reardon addressed members’ ’A’ for Advocacy (p. 7). the National Economic Council’s concerns about the SBA 7(a) loan Small Business California debuts (p. 9). Brian Reardon spoke and answered continued on p. 6 ADVOCATE May/June 2005 Volume 19, Number 3 In This Issue © 2005 National Small Business Association Chair Malcolm Outlaw First Vice Chair Paul Hense Secretary Phyllis Shearer Jones Treasurer Grafton “Cap” Willey Immediate Past Chair Raymond Arth President Todd McCracken Editor 5 Rob Yunich PHOTO BY ROB YUNICH Writers 4 NSBA’S ULTIMATE CAPITOL EXPERIENCE Molly Brogan David Mack The recent Washington Presentation was a huge success, reports Chair Malcolm Outlaw, who also relays his excitement about future endeavors. Printing McArdle Printing Company 5 REACHING THE (PROCUREMENT) SUMMIT NSBA’s Procurement Summit brought out an all-star cast on the subject— HOW TO REACH US including David Safavian, head of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. National Small Business Association 9 RECYCLED PAPER GREETINGS KEEPS GROWING 1156 15th Street NW Suite 1100 When Mike Keiser founded Recycled Paper Greetings in 1971, he probably had Washington, DC 20005 no idea how successful it would become. Phone: 202-293-8830 Fax: 202-872-8543 Internet: www.nsba.biz MORE NSBA NEWS 7 “A” for Advocacy…9 Small Business California launches… The NSBA Advocate, published 10 NSBA at work… 11 Your NSBA calendar… and more. bimonthly by the National Small Business Association, is one of the benefits of an NSBA membership. Notification of address changes should be sent to NSBA, 1156 15th Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. MISSION STATEMENT NSBA is a volunteer-led associa- tion. Our primary mission is to advocate state and federal policies that are beneficial to small busi- ness, the state, and the nation — 4 9 and promote the growth of free PHOTOS BY ROB YUNICH enterprise. 2 May/June 2005 Health insurance that’s right for you. Now, through an alliance with the NSBA and Assurant Health, you can access quality, economical medical insurance for individuals and families. Assurant Health has been in business for more than 110 years and is committed to providing innovative health insurance products that offer simplicity, value and flexibility. Choose the Assurant Health plan that best meets your healthcare needs and budget – ● PPO Copay Plan ● One Deductible Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA) ● Short Term Medical Call 888-239-8765 or visit www.nsbahealth.com Insurance plans are underwritten and issued by John Alden Life Insurance Company. Chair’s Message NSBA’s Ultimate Capitol Experience By Malcolm Outlaw After the breakfast, some atten- NSBA Chair dees met with their elected officials, always enjoy visiting our Nation’s while others ventured to NSBA’s Capital. Not only is it a beautiful Procurement Summit. The summit Icity with plenty of history, but it is featured some of the best and bright- a place where small business owners est in the procurement arena, includ- can make a difference. ing U.S. Attorney (Virginia) Paul J. It is with that mindset that I tell McNulty, Rep. Nydia Velázquez you about NSBA’s annual Washington (D-N.Y.), and David Safavian, head Presentation, held May 11-12. We had of the Office of Federal Procurement a sell-out crowd this year that was Policy. treated to an all-star event featuring After experiencing these two great speakers and a unique chance to events first-hand, I am very proud to visit the White House Complex and call myself an NSBA member. Not U.S. Capitol in a two-day span. only did NSBA go above and beyond The Washington Presentation the call of duty to give attendees a started out with the presentation of memorable and educational experi- our Small Business Advocate of the NSBA FILE PHOTO ence, but we hopefully showed every- Year Award. This year’s recipient is our annual Congressional Breakfast, body why NSBA is so special. And Valerie Perlowitz of Vienna, Va., who featuring speeches from Sen. John more importantly, we spread the is the president and CEO of Reliable Kerry (D-Mass.) and Reps. Don word about the organization and our Integration Services, Inc. Valerie not Manzullo (R-Ill.), John Linder (R- priority issues. only runs a very successful company, Ga.), and Candice Miller (R-Mich.). As you can imagine, this is only but she is truly dedicated to advocacy. All four speakers were fabulous and the beginning. The 109th Congress is We congratulate you, Valerie, on an supplied insight into issues that are going to be full of extremely impor- honor that is well-deserved. (You can of the utmost importance to small tant votes and legislation, and we learn more about Valerie on p. 7 of business owners. must stay on top of each and every this issue of the Advocate.) Manzullo’s comments about the one and make sure our voice is heard. I also want to thank Money mag- uphill battle constantly faced by If you were not able to attend the azine and FedEx for their assistance small business owners struck me the event and/or meet with your represen- to the award and the luncheon. most. His speech was extremely tatives, I urge you to contact them on After I presented the award to timely and made me realize what the your own—either in their D.C. office Valerie, attendees were treated to a small business environment would be or when they come back to your dis- speech by political commentator like if NSBA hadn’t been extremely trict. I urge you to tell your friends, Charlie Cook. His non-partisan active over the years. neighbors, relatives, or anybody you observations about the 2004 presi- Sometimes we don’t think that we know about our priority issues and ask dential elections, 2006 mid-term elec- have accomplished very much, but them to help you in the quest. tions, and 2008 presidential elections when you grasp what we have Finally, I would like to thank were very insightful. It was a real prevented from happening, it puts our everybody who contributed to making treat to have Charlie speak to us at achievements into perspective. (Please the 2005 Washington Presentation a the luncheon and we thank him.
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