Trade Associations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from national and international trade associations influencing the debate on federal policies.
Featured Stories
U.N. Committee Advances Study of Nuclear War Effects Without U.S. Support
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Nov. 2 (TNSres) -- The Union of Concerned Scientists issued the following news release on Nov. 1, 2024:
Today, the United States failed to support a United Nations resolution to establish an independent panel of scientists to study the consequences and effects of nuclear war. The last UN study on nuclear war was conducted in the 1980s. The resolution, proposed by Ireland and New Zealand, passed out of committee with only Russia, the United Kingdom and France voting no.
While the U.S. abstained, the resolution passed with 144 votes and will go before the full UN General
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CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Nov. 2 (TNSres) -- The Union of Concerned Scientists issued the following news release on Nov. 1, 2024:
Today, the United States failed to support a United Nations resolution to establish an independent panel of scientists to study the consequences and effects of nuclear war. The last UN study on nuclear war was conducted in the 1980s. The resolution, proposed by Ireland and New Zealand, passed out of committee with only Russia, the United Kingdom and France voting no.
While the U.S. abstained, the resolution passed with 144 votes and will go before the full UN GeneralAssembly in December.
"There is no good rationale for not agreeing to an independent scientific study on the effects of nuclear war," said Dr. Laura Grego, research director and senior scientist in the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). "We already look to international bodies of scientists for research and guidance on critical challenges like the climate crisis. Nuclear war would have lasting global consequences, and our governments and their constituents deserve the full picture based on the latest science. This is failure of leadership on the part of the U.S. It is heartening to see countries like Ireland and New Zealand stand up for science."
"This resolution builds on a profound recognition by scientists early in the nuclear age that we need to make sure everyone understands the dangers posed by the very existence of nuclear weapons if we are to avoid the catastrophe of nuclear war," said Zia Mian, a physicist and co-director of Princeton's Program on Science and Global Security, and a UCS Board member since August 2022. "As Einstein put it in 1946 'there is no secret and there is no defense; there is no possibility of control except through the aroused understanding and insistence of the peoples of the world.' A new UN-mandated scientific study of nuclear war will help enable a more fully informed and inclusive global debate on what nuclear war means in terms of the harm that would come to people and planet and the need for urgent action.
"It will be especially important for people and countries that will be innocent bystanders in any nuclear war. It also will let the people of nuclear-armed states understand the terrible human, social, economic, ecological and environmental harm that their governments threaten to unleash on the world. To borrow from the Russell-Einstein Manifesto of 9 July, 1955, when nations are armed with nuclear weapons, 'All, equally, are in peril, and, if the peril is understood, there is hope that they may collectively avert it.'"
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Original text here: https://www.ucsusa.org/about/news/un-study-nuclear-war
[Category: Environment]
SIA Commends Selections for CHIPS R&D Flagship Facilities
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 -- The Semiconductor Industry Association issued the following statement on Nov. 1, 2024:
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The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today released the following statement from SIA President and CEO John Neuffer commending the selections for the first two CHIPS for America National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) facilities. The first facility will focus on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography research and will be located within NY CREATES's Albany NanoTech Complex in New York. The second facility (Sunnyvale, CA) will serve as an administrative headquarters
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 -- The Semiconductor Industry Association issued the following statement on Nov. 1, 2024:
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The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today released the following statement from SIA President and CEO John Neuffer commending the selections for the first two CHIPS for America National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) facilities. The first facility will focus on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography research and will be located within NY CREATES's Albany NanoTech Complex in New York. The second facility (Sunnyvale, CA) will serve as an administrative headquartersfor the NSTC and host the Design Enablement Gateway. Together, these programs will advance semiconductor design, research, workforce development, investment, and collaboration for the U.S. semiconductor industry.
"This week's announcements mark exciting milestones in the implementation of the critical R&D programs enacted in the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. EUV lithography research is an investment in American leadership at the leading edge. And, the Albany facility will democratize access to this extraordinary tool and enable NSTC research to commence in the next year, driving the mission to propel American chip innovation from day one.
"Natcast's site in Sunnyvale, CA will establish a new hub at the heart of Silicon Valley for the next generation of R&D in chip design, electronic design automation (EDA), chip and system architecture, and hardware security. Moreover, the facility will advance core NSTC programs, including the Workforce Center of Excellence--building our industry's most essential asset: an innovative and skilled workforce. We congratulate the Department of Commerce and Natcast for initiating these impactful programs and applaud their diligent efforts to continue driving American leadership in chips."
These resources will be available to NSTC members and researchers. Natcast has opened NSTC membership and urges semiconductor companies, universities, nonprofits and research institutions, national labs, and government agencies to take part in shaping the future of U.S. semiconductor R&D leadership.
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About SIA
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a key driver of America's economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration, and key industry stakeholders around the world to encourage policies that fuel innovation, propel business, and drive international competition. Learn more at http://www.semiconductors.org.
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Original text here: https://www.semiconductors.org/sia-commends-selections-for-chips-rd-flagship-facilities/
[Category: Computer Technology]
Foundation for Fresh Produce Announces 2025 Board of Directors
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 -- The International Fresh Produce Association issued the following agency statement on Oct. 31, 2024:
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The Foundation for Fresh Produce announced the new 2025 board members at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, GA. The Foundation was founded by The International Fresh Produce Association and its mission is to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health.
The Board of Directors for 2025 will be chaired by Dwight Ferguson, President and CEO of California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. Alex DiNovo, President and COO of DNO Produce will
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 -- The International Fresh Produce Association issued the following agency statement on Oct. 31, 2024:
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The Foundation for Fresh Produce announced the new 2025 board members at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, GA. The Foundation was founded by The International Fresh Produce Association and its mission is to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health.
The Board of Directors for 2025 will be chaired by Dwight Ferguson, President and CEO of California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. Alex DiNovo, President and COO of DNO Produce willcontinue to serve on the board and executive committee as Past Chair.
The additional members of the executive committee are Chair-Elect Jin Ju Wilder, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Vesta Foods as the Chair-Elect and April Porter as Secretary/Treasurer.
"I am honored and excited to become chair of The Foundation for Fresh Produce and do my part, along with the very talented board and staff, to advance its mission to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health," said Ferguson. "All of us involved with produce and health know that growing consumption of fruits and vegetables is the single most simple thing every person can do for the health of themselves and the planet. Thanks to the work of my predecessor, Alex DiNovo, along with prior board members, The Foundation is now well-positioned to expand and increase consumption globally."
The Foundation board will lead the organization's remit to position fruits and vegetables as the solution for many of the world's greatest health and economic challenges, especially those surrounding nutrition and hunger. The organization plans to expand its reach and impact to boost the appeal of fruits and vegetables as an integral part of people's diets, improve access, nurture passionate fruit and vegetable professionals, and scale partner programs that strengthen our collective global impact.
"Serving as Chair of The Foundation has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Over the past year, it's been inspiring to see The Foundation's mission to transform human health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables take root," said outgoing chair, Alex DiNovo. "During my tenure, building on The Foundation's growth and witnessing the tangible impact of our initiatives has been remarkable. As Dwight steps into this role, his commitment to increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables and growing a healthier world will surely drive The Foundation to new milestones, and I look forward to seeing the impactful strides he and the board will accomplish together."
The 2025 Foundation new and returning directors:
Dwight Ferguson, California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, Chair
Jin Ju Wilder, Vesta Foods, Chair Elect
Alex DiNovo, DNO Produce, Immediate Past Chair
April Porter, Noble Citrus and Crystal Beach Capital, Secretary/Treasurer
At Large Members:
CarrieAnn Arias, Pear Bureau Northwest
Stacy Bates, MS, RDN, LD, CDE, H-E-B
Inci Dannenberg, Bayer
Nikki Ford, PhD, Hass Avocado Board
Bil Goldfield, Dole Food Company
Eileen Hyde, Walmart
Jason Osborn, The Wonderful Company
Cedric Pauwels, Greenyard
Amy Yaroch, PhD, Center for Nutrition and Impact
The Foundation also celebrated and thanked two retiring board members for their service:
Martha Hilton, Wegmans
John Oxford, L&M
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Original text here: https://www.freshproduce.com/who-we-are/press-center/2024/the-foundation-for-fresh-produce-announces-2025-board-of-directors/
[Category: Food/Beverage]
Clearing House: Regulators Should Take the Reins on Fintech Oversight
NEW YORK, Nov. 2 -- The Clearing House issued the following news release:
New York and Washington, D.C. -- The Bank Policy Institute and The Clearing House Association commented late yesterday on partnerships between banks and fintechs in a letter to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Federal Reserve. The letter, submitted in response to a request for information, calls for the banking regulators to exercise their authority to regulate and supervise fintechs directly so that banks are not forced to serve as quasi-regulators. It also
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NEW YORK, Nov. 2 -- The Clearing House issued the following news release:
New York and Washington, D.C. -- The Bank Policy Institute and The Clearing House Association commented late yesterday on partnerships between banks and fintechs in a letter to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Federal Reserve. The letter, submitted in response to a request for information, calls for the banking regulators to exercise their authority to regulate and supervise fintechs directly so that banks are not forced to serve as quasi-regulators. It alsoemphasizes the need for more public education to help consumers better understand the potential risks of doing business with a nonbank, such as the potential unavailability of federal deposit insurance.
"We believe the combination of direct agency oversight of fintechs and consumer education is imperative to achieve our shared goal of effective fintech risk management," the associations wrote. "The current approach, in which the agencies place all responsibility for ensuring appropriate fintech risk management on the banks, suggests that compliance is primarily a 'bank issue' and need not be a major concern for the fintech."
The letter makes three primary recommendations:
* Regulators should regulate fintechs. Banks recognize their responsibility to conduct due diligence under third-party risk management frameworks. However, banks should not be expected to independently police fintechs. The banking agencies should exercise their regulatory tools and authority - including the Bank Services Company Act - to establish rules, govern compliance and demand greater accountability from fintech companies, especially when the partnership involves higher-risk activities such as when a large percentage of the bank's business is attributable to the fintech's customers.
* Loopholes used by fintechs to engage in regulatory arbitrage should be eliminated. Fintechs have come to rely on partnerships with small institutions as an effective way to avoid regulation. For example, by partnering with an institution under $10 billion in assets, fintechs enjoy a "small bank exemption" under Regulation II of the Dodd-Frank Act; this allows fintechs to bypass limits on what they can charge to process debit and credit card transactions. These loopholes undermine the purpose of the regulations and should be eliminated.
* The banking agencies should educate consumers about what makes a bank a bank. Many fintech companies may look like banks but lack protections and benefits such as federal deposit insurance. Consumers should be able to easily discern whether an institution is a bank or a nonbank and should clearly understand the risks of obtaining financial products through nonbanks. Regulators should require fintechs to offer clear disclosures and support this effort through public education campaigns.
While banks increasingly partner with fintech companies to offer a product or service, the existence of these relationships is not always obvious to the end consumer. The letter focuses on circumstances where fintechs enter into arrangements with banks to facilitate providing end users with access to banking products and services. These arrangements enable fintech companies to directly provide end users with access to a range of banking products, such as checking or savings accounts, payments, lending products or digital wallets.
The request for information was issued in July 2024, and comments were due on October 30. The Agencies will review submissions and use this information to determine whether additional rules are warranted.
To access a copy of the letter, please click here (https://www.theclearinghouse.org/-/media/New/TCH/Documents/Advocacy/BPI-TCH-Comment-Letter-Bank-Fintech-Arrangements.pdf).
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About Bank Policy Institute
The Bank Policy Institute is a nonpartisan public policy, research and advocacy group that represents universal banks, regional banks and the major foreign banks doing business in the United States. The Institute produces academic research and analysis on regulatory and monetary policy topics, analyzes and comments on proposed regulations, and represents the financial services industry with respect to cybersecurity, fraud and other information security issues.
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About The Clearing House Association
The Clearing House Association L.L.C., the country's oldest banking trade association, is a nonpartisan organization that provides informed advocacy and thought leadership on critical payments-related issues. Its sister company, The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C., owns and operates core payments system infrastructure in the United States, clearing and settling more than $2 trillion each business day.
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Original text here: https://www.theclearinghouse.org/payment-systems/Articles/2024/10/BPI-TCH-Fintech-Oversight
[Category: Financial Services]
CCA Louisiana and Chevron Build New 'Super Reef' in South Timbalier
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, Nov. 2 -- The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana issued the following news:
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Along with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Danos and Reef Maker, the new reef will improve marine habitat and fishing
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Coastal Conservation Association's REEF Louisiana Program, in partnership with Chevron, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Danos, and Reefmaker-Walter Marine, completed construction on the South Timbalier Block 63 Reef this week.
This project is made of 36 "Super Reefs" designed by Reefmaker. The pyramid-shaped structures are
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BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, Nov. 2 -- The Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana issued the following news:
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Along with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Danos and Reef Maker, the new reef will improve marine habitat and fishing
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Coastal Conservation Association's REEF Louisiana Program, in partnership with Chevron, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Danos, and Reefmaker-Walter Marine, completed construction on the South Timbalier Block 63 Reef this week.
This project is made of 36 "Super Reefs" designed by Reefmaker. The pyramid-shaped structures arecomprised of concrete, steel rebar and limestone rocks. They are built to mimic natural reefs and support many varieties of marine life. There are windows on each side of the panels, allowing for turtle and diver escape, alike. The western section of the South Timbalier 63 reef will consist of twenty-four 8-foot-tall pyramids whereas the eastern part of the reef will be built with twelve 15-foot-tall pyramids.
This is the first CCA REEF Louisiana project using "Super Reef" materials. CCA Louisiana VP of Habitat John Walther attended the reef installation and discussed this new project.
"We are very excited to utilize these super reef structures for the first time as we replace this lost habitat in South Timbalier 63," said Walther. "Seeing the material up close, it is easy to see why fish and marine life will orient to these structures in short order."
Alex Cheramie, Corporate Affairs at Chevron, discussed the project and the role her company played.
ST63-Install-9-crop
"Chevron is proud to partner with CCA on this exciting new reef, and we appreciate all the partners and volunteers who made it possible," said Cheramie. "At Chevron, we have a commitment to Louisiana and its coastal communities, so we are pleased to do our part on efforts like this."
Nick LeBlanc, Danos' Coastal Restoration Operations Manager was also in attendance and explained the thinking behind the two reef-concept.
"These two locations will be studied to determine if snapper and other fish prefer the larger reef structures that are more vertical in the water column or the more plentiful, smaller structures," explained. "This study will help determine which of these structures should be used in the future construction of artificial reefs."
In addition to Chevron and Danos, funding for the South Timbalier 63 Reef comes from CCA's REEF Louisiana Program along with matching funds provided by LDWF's Artificial Reef Trust Fund.
CCA Executive Vice President of Development Rad Trascher was on hand as well and expressed appreciation for the partnerships that led to this accomplishment.
"We simply could not be out here building this habitat without our partners from Chevron, Danos, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Reefmaker," he said. "It has been a pleasure collaborating with this entire team. Our shared commitment to our coast and our marine resources shines through on days like this."
Mike McDonough, Artificial Reef Coordinator for LDWF, made the trip to the construction site.
"We are pleased to work with CCA, Chevron, Danos and our other partners once again on another great reef project," said McDonough. "This is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when private industry joins forces with non-profits and state government to reach a goal."
The South Timbalier 63 Reef is the 53rd unique artificial reef that CCA Louisiana has built overall, and the 5th completed this year. Earlier this year, CCA competed the Pelican Island Reef near Fourchon, the Ted Beaullieu Sr. Reef expansion in SMI 233, the West Cameron 82 reef south of Big Lake, and the Raising Cane's Hotel Sid reef near Grand Isle. CCA also expects to complete reefs at South Timbalier 165, South Timbalier 86, and Goose Point in Lake Pontchartrain later this year. Plans call for 8 to 10 reefs in 2025 as well.
CCA's REEF Louisiana Program is an initiative aimed at replacing lost fishery habitat, including where oil and gas platforms have been removed. The program uses custom-made reef materials and a variety of repurposed "materials of opportunity" to construct artificial reefs. Over the years, CCA has used items such as pieces of decommissioned oil and gas platforms, highway barriers, recycled structural concrete and crushed concrete.
Coordinates for South Timbalier 63 will be published on ccalouisiana.com once construction is completed. For more information about this reef or CCA Louisiana's REEF Louisiana Program, contact Rad Trascher at (225) 952-9200.
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Original text here: https://ccalouisiana.com/news/cca-louisiana-and-chevron-build-new-super-reef-in-south-timbalier/
[Category: Environment]
American Academy of Pediatrics: Collection of Articles Analyzes Findings on U.S. Infant and Child Fatalities
ITASCA, Illinois, Nov. 2 (TNSres) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics issued the following news release:
A collection of 17 articles highlighting unique findings from infant and child fatalities will be featured within a Pediatrics supplement as a resource for medical professionals seeking to prevent injuries and disease. The supplement, "Insights from Fatality Reviews: Informing Pediatric Practice, Policy, and Research," publishes in the November 2024 Pediatrics (published online Nov. 1). The articles are sponsored by the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention, a program of the
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ITASCA, Illinois, Nov. 2 (TNSres) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics issued the following news release:
A collection of 17 articles highlighting unique findings from infant and child fatalities will be featured within a Pediatrics supplement as a resource for medical professionals seeking to prevent injuries and disease. The supplement, "Insights from Fatality Reviews: Informing Pediatric Practice, Policy, and Research," publishes in the November 2024 Pediatrics (published online Nov. 1). The articles are sponsored by the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention, a program of theMichigan Public Health Institute. Some of the articles published within the supplement are: Characteristics of Children Ages 1-17 who Died of COVID-19 in 2020-2022 in the United States; Characteristics and Circumstances of Suicide Among Children Aged 6 to 9 Years: 2006-2021; Understanding Natural Disaster or Weather-Related Drowning Deaths Among Children; Factors Associated with Sudden Unexpected Postnatal Collapse; The Real-World Circumstances Surrounding Fatal Pediatric Opioid Poisonings, 2004-2020; Understanding Contextual Factors Influencing Firearm Deaths Occurring Among Children; Characteristics of Fatalities Among Sexual and Gender Diverse Youth in the US, 2015-2020.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
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Original text here: https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/pediatrics2/2024/collection-of-articles-analyzes-findings-on-u.s.-infant-and-child-fatalities
[Category: Medical]
AWB Urges End to Costly Boeing Strike
OLYMPIA, Washington, Nov. 2 -- The Association of Washington Business issued the following statement on Nov. 1, 2024:
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Kris Johnson, president and CEO of the Association of Washington Business, issued the following statement on the contract offer going before IMA members for a vote on Monday:
"We are optimistic that union members will vote to approve this offer and bring an end to a strike that's already cost an estimated $5 billion nationally and brought uncertainty and harm to the aerospace supply chain and countless communities, families and individuals across the nation. Aerospace is
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OLYMPIA, Washington, Nov. 2 -- The Association of Washington Business issued the following statement on Nov. 1, 2024:
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Kris Johnson, president and CEO of the Association of Washington Business, issued the following statement on the contract offer going before IMA members for a vote on Monday:
"We are optimistic that union members will vote to approve this offer and bring an end to a strike that's already cost an estimated $5 billion nationally and brought uncertainty and harm to the aerospace supply chain and countless communities, families and individuals across the nation. Aerospace isa cornerstone of Washington's manufacturing economy, and Boeing plays an essential role in our state's economic health. For the sake of everyone, we hope this marks the end of this strike and the start of a new phase of manufacturing growth as Boeing and its workers get back to building the world's best airplanes."
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Original text here: https://www.awb.org/awb-urges-end-to-costly-boeing-strike/
[Category: Business]