Trade Associations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from national and international trade associations influencing the debate on federal policies.
Featured Stories
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Issues Statement on U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement by CEO Thomas J. Donohue:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J. Donohue hailed Senate passage of USMCA as a historic bipartisan victory for all Americans, especially manufacturers, farmers, and service providers.
"The Chamber applauds the Senate for joining the House in voting to pass USMCA. This agreement guarantees American workers and farmers full access to our largest export markets for years to come, and it restores certainty to trade ties that support 12 million American jobs. While no deal is perfect, USMCA's
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement by CEO Thomas J. Donohue:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J. Donohue hailed Senate passage of USMCA as a historic bipartisan victory for all Americans, especially manufacturers, farmers, and service providers.
"The Chamber applauds the Senate for joining the House in voting to pass USMCA. This agreement guarantees American workers and farmers full access to our largest export markets for years to come, and it restores certainty to trade ties that support 12 million American jobs. While no deal is perfect, USMCA'supdated rules on digital trade, non-tariff barriers, and services promise real benefits to American businesses and consumers.
"It was striking to see large, bipartisan majorities in Congress support free trade in North America. Today's vote sends a powerful message to the world that America remains open for business."
Ahead of today's vote, the U.S. Chamber sent a coalition letter of support for the USMCA, which included nearly 700 business and agriculture organizations and chambers of commerce from across the United States, to every member of the Senate. Read the full letter here (https://www.uschamber.com/letters-congress/coalition-letter-the-senate-the-usmca).
The Chamber will include votes on the USMCA Implementation Act in its annual How They Voted scorecard. Read our Key Vote letter here (https://www.uschamber.com/letters-congress/us-chamber-key-vote-letter-the-usmca-implementation-act).
[Category: Business]
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Issues Statement on U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement
FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 18 -- The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association issued the following statement on Jan. 16 by President Robert McKnight Jr. after the Senate passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement:
"We applaud the U.S. Senate for passing the landmark United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement today, and look forward to the president's signature, finalizing U.S. ratification of the trade deal," said McKnight.
"Like the U.S.-Japan trade agreement that took effect at the beginning of the year, this is yet another historic trade agreement that will benefit American cattle producers
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FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 18 -- The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association issued the following statement on Jan. 16 by President Robert McKnight Jr. after the Senate passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement:
"We applaud the U.S. Senate for passing the landmark United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement today, and look forward to the president's signature, finalizing U.S. ratification of the trade deal," said McKnight.
"Like the U.S.-Japan trade agreement that took effect at the beginning of the year, this is yet another historic trade agreement that will benefit American cattle producersfor decades to come.
"Each year, billions of dollars of U.S. beef will continue to flow to Canada and Mexico thanks to the hard work of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and Trump administration, especially U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud. We sincerely appreciate their work on behalf of American agriculture."
Background:
In 2018, beef exports to Mexico and Canada accounted for almost a quarter of the United States' $8.3 billion in total beef exports. U.S. beef exports to Mexico accounted for a value of more than $1 billion. Exports to Canada reached almost $750 million.
Since duty-free access to Canada and Mexico began in 1994, U.S. beef exports to the two countries have increased by 750%.
Texas, which has more cattle than any other state in the nation, has greatly benefited from this duty-free access. In 2018, more than $357 million in Texas beef was sold Mexico, making preservation of free trade essential to Texas cattle producers.
[Category: Animals]
National School Boards Association Has Retained Vetted Solutions to Conduct Its Executive Director Search
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The National School Boards Association issued the following news:
The National School Boards Association (NSBA), a federation of 49 state school boards associations and the territory of the Virgin Islands, has initiated a national search for an Executive Director to replace its retiring Executive Director and CEO, Thomas J. Gentzel. Vetted Solutions, an executive search firm that represents leading associations and nonprofit organizations, was retained to conduct the search. NSBA works with and through its member state associations to advocate for public education on behalf
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The National School Boards Association issued the following news:
The National School Boards Association (NSBA), a federation of 49 state school boards associations and the territory of the Virgin Islands, has initiated a national search for an Executive Director to replace its retiring Executive Director and CEO, Thomas J. Gentzel. Vetted Solutions, an executive search firm that represents leading associations and nonprofit organizations, was retained to conduct the search. NSBA works with and through its member state associations to advocate for public education on behalfof more than 90,000 local school board members and almost 50 million public school children.
President ElizaBeth "Beth" Branham said, "The NSBA Board of Directors has authorized the formation of a search committee, which is comprised of members of the executive committee of the Board of Directors, state school boards associations executive directors and a representative from NSBA's past presidents group." The search committee will work with Vetted Solutions to develop the essential qualities needed to succeed in the job and recruit a viable pool of candidates who meet the critical capabilities that will enable NSBA to continue to fulfill its important mission.
By the end of January, the search committee expects to post the executive position profile on the NSBA, Vetted Solutions and relevant websites. The profile will also be shared with NSBA's members through online communication channels.
[Category: Education]
National Nurses United: Nurses to Rally at Women's Marches Across the Nation
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
On Jan. 18, registered nurses from National Nurses United (NNU), the largest union of RNs in the country, will join together at Women's Marches across the United States to highlight the importance of unions to women and working people, NNU announced.
"As proud union nurses, we are marching because we know unionism and feminism go hand in hand," said NNU Executive Director Bonnie Castillo, RN, who will be attending the Washington, D.C. Women's March with a contingent of NNU nurses. "The collective voice and protection
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
On Jan. 18, registered nurses from National Nurses United (NNU), the largest union of RNs in the country, will join together at Women's Marches across the United States to highlight the importance of unions to women and working people, NNU announced.
"As proud union nurses, we are marching because we know unionism and feminism go hand in hand," said NNU Executive Director Bonnie Castillo, RN, who will be attending the Washington, D.C. Women's March with a contingent of NNU nurses. "The collective voice and protectionof our union is what enables our women-dominated workforce to advocate for our patients, for each other, and for healthier, safer communities. We are thrilled to march this weekend, building collective power with our fellow women workers and with all working people across the country."
"We are marching for women's and worker's rights as members of NNU," said RN Sandy Reding, vice president of NNU,who will be marching in Bakersfield, Calif. "We know with a union contract, we can combat wage discrimination, workplace violence, and gender discrimination. But really, we take part in this march to speak up for our communities. We want to make sure we have clean air and water and that people can get the medical care they need when they need it."
Nurses say they are marching in D.C. and at sister marches across the country to highlight the ways in which unions fight to ensure safe workplace conditions. For nurses, this includes rules against being assigned an unsafe number of patients, and protections against infectious diseases, sexual harassment, and workplace violence.
NNU endorsed H.R. 1309, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed in November 2019. The bill, authored by Rep. Joe Courtney, has bipartisan support and would set the highest standards yet for protecting workers in these industries from violence on the job. This legislation follows the adoption by California OSHA of the first workplace violence standard for health care workers, which was the result of state legislation sponsored by the California Nurses Association / National Nurses United.
Nurses are also marching on behalf of their patients and on behalf of women in support of Medicare for All. Nurses strongly believe that there is no equality in society without guaranteeing healthcare as a human right. People shouldn't have to choose between rent, food, and health care, say nurses, and women workers should not have to put up with harassment or stay in jobs they would be better off leaving just to maintain access to employer-based health insurance.
"I've been involved with the Women's March since it started in 2016," said Terrie Weeks, RN, who will be attending theGulfport, Fla. march. "I'm marching because I want my country back ... I really want to stand up for the rights of myself and my sisters. Nurses are advocates for our patients; we are advancing the right for everyone to have high-quality health care, a high-quality environment, and a high-quality social safety net."
NNU nurses will be at Women's Marches in the following locations:
Washington, D.C.
California: Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Francisco
Florida: Gulfport
Chicago, Ill.
Kansas City, Mo.
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National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 150,000 members nationwide. NNU plays a leadership role in safeguarding the health and safety of RNs and their patients and has won landmark legislation in the areas of staffing, safe patient handling, infectious disease, and workplace violence prevention.
[Category: Nursing]
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities: James McCartin Named Chair of National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities issued the following news release:
James McCartin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of the History of American Christianity at Fordham University, has been named the new Chair of the National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education. His term begins immediately.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be rejoining the Seminar, this time as its chair," McCartin said. "I was a member of the Seminar from 2013 to 2016, and I learned how important its publication, Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education, is in cultivating local and national communities
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities issued the following news release:
James McCartin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of the History of American Christianity at Fordham University, has been named the new Chair of the National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education. His term begins immediately.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be rejoining the Seminar, this time as its chair," McCartin said. "I was a member of the Seminar from 2013 to 2016, and I learned how important its publication, Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education, is in cultivating local and national communitiesto ensure a vital future for the great project of Jesuit higher education. As Chair, I aim to carry forward the excellent stewardship of past Jesuit luminaries who have led the group: Fathers Pat Howell, Jack O'Callaghan and John Padberg. Let the conversation continue."
The National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education meets three times each year by rotating through the 27 Jesuit campuses. Seminar members are drawn from the 27 Jesuit colleges and universities on a three-year cycle. Conversations is published twice per academic year, and is jointly funded by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) and the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.
McCartin succeeds the late Rev. Patrick Howell, S.J., who served as chair for nearly ten years at the time of his death in November. He was happy to know of McCartin's selection and shared his thoughts soon after the selection was made last fall: "I've known Jim for a long time. He ran an excellent program as Director of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture for six years, and has a wide network of contacts with leading national scholars. I know he'll be superb in continuing the probing inquiry and the tackling of tough issues that Conversations has promoted."
Rev. Michael J. Sheeran, S.J., president of AJCU, expressed his confidence in McCartin as successor to Fr. Howell. He said, "Jim will continue to lead the Seminar forward and build upon the formidable work of his predecessors. The Seminar is in very good hands under his leadership, and Conversations will continue to serve the faculty, staff and administrators at our nation's Jesuit colleges and universities."
Click here (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56172221e4b0d3605b642f70/t/5e1786a38a1d31114701f0a0/1578600116570/conv57web.pdf) to view the Spring 2020 issue of Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education.
[Category: Education]
American Institute of Architects Selects Recipients for 2020 Collaborative Achievement Award
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The American Institute of Architects issued the following news release:
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is recognizing the Global Design Initiative for Refugee Children and Robert Silman Structural Engineers with its 2020 Collaborative Achievement Award.
The Collaborative Achievement Award recognizes and encourages distinguished achievements of design professionals, clients, organizations, architect teams, knowledge communities and others who have had a beneficial influence on or advanced the architectural profession.
Global Design Initiative for Refugee Children
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- The American Institute of Architects issued the following news release:
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is recognizing the Global Design Initiative for Refugee Children and Robert Silman Structural Engineers with its 2020 Collaborative Achievement Award.
The Collaborative Achievement Award recognizes and encourages distinguished achievements of design professionals, clients, organizations, architect teams, knowledge communities and others who have had a beneficial influence on or advanced the architectural profession.
Global Design Initiative for Refugee Children(GDI)
Developed and managed by the Boston Society of Architects (BSA), GDI comprises leadership from Boston's design community and a number of nonprofit aid and development organizations. The organizations aligned in an effort to mend the divisions and social rifts that follow conflicts around the world. The exodus spurred by civil war in Syria revealed the urgent need for the profession to develop new tools and methods to assist the humanitarian response through design. Begun in 2016, GDI is an effort to support safe play among displaced children. The initiative selected Lebanon as the site of its first project because the country hosts the highest number of Syrian refugees per capita and lacks formal camps, leaving refugees scattered across more than 2,000 urban and rural communities. The selection was further supported by the number of professional contacts many members of Boston's design community have there and by the fundraising efforts that delivered more than $50,000 from academic institutions and private foundations. Centered on the idea of "permanent impermanence," the project, completed in 2018, features modular wood frames constructed by a Syrian millworker that are easily assembled and disassembled should relocation be required. Since then, GDI has tackled additional projects in Lebanon and Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Beyond improving the daily lives of children, GDI has created a road map for design professionals seeking to use their skills to serve the greater good and solve issues of global importance. The initiative has also published a graphic how-to pamphlet that provides insight on the key considerations for developing a transnational, cross-disciplinary collaborative process.
Robert Silman Structural Engineers
Since its founding in New York in 1966, Robert Silman Structural Engineers has distinguished itself as a leading structural engineer in New York and the nation, playing a significant role in more than 23,000 projects.
In Silman's early days, it would accept nearly any project that presented itself, many focused on residential rehabilitation of New York's tenement buildings often passed over by larger, more established firms. This extensive work eventually gave way to significant structures, including Carnegie Hall in the early 1970s and a number of other New York landmarks. Because of founder Robert Silman's love of collaboration and his passion for solving challenging structural questions, the firm's reputation for creative thinking and its ability to breathe new life into existing structures swelled. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Silman's willingness to listen broadened its collaborations with many of New York's most respected architects. As it continues to mature, the firm has been tapped by international architects, such as BIG, SANAA, and Renzo Piano Building Workshop, to serve as the primary structural engineering consultant on projects beyond New York.
While the firm now works on more new building projects than existing buildings, it continues to honor its legacy of preservation and the optimism of its founder. Steered by a new generation of leaders and now boasting more than 170 employees, the firm continues to approach all of its work with compassion and thoughtfulness. Its commitment to nonprofit organizations and pro bono work has ensured the benefits of architecture and engineering are delivered to underserved communities across the nation.
Complete Collaborative Achievement Award information is available on AIA's website.
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About AIA
Founded in 1857, AIA consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through more than 200 international, state and local chapters, AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing.
AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation, and world. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards.
[Category: Architecture]
American Association of Endodontists Announces Its 2020 Award Winners
CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 18 -- The American Association of Endodontists issued the following news release:
The AAE is announcing the recipients of its highly prestigious awards to formally be presented at the Association's annual meeting in Nashville this April.
"The AAE is comprised of thousands of members who are all committed to promoting the dental specialty, best standard of patient care and professional development through academia, research and service," said AAE President Dr. Keith V. Krell. "These particular individuals, that the Association is honoring, are among the best within the
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CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 18 -- The American Association of Endodontists issued the following news release:
The AAE is announcing the recipients of its highly prestigious awards to formally be presented at the Association's annual meeting in Nashville this April.
"The AAE is comprised of thousands of members who are all committed to promoting the dental specialty, best standard of patient care and professional development through academia, research and service," said AAE President Dr. Keith V. Krell. "These particular individuals, that the Association is honoring, are among the best within theendodontic field and it's various arenas." "It is my honor to announce these winners."
Clara M. Spatafore, D.D.S., M.S., will receive the Edgar D. Coolidge Award. Named for Edgar D. Coolidge, a pioneer in endodontics, recipients of this award--the AAE's highest honor--are an elite group of individuals who serve as role models for the entire endodontic community.
Dr. Spatafore is the department chair of endodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. She attended West Virginia University where she received her undergraduate degree in medical technology. Dr. Spatafore then earned her D.D.S., M.S. and Certificate in Endodontics from West Virginia University School of Dentistry.
She has been a member of the AAE since 1987 and held a variety of leadership roles with the organization's Board, including president, president-elect, vice president and secretary of its Executive Committee as well as a director. Dr. Spatafore is an accomplished author and lecturer. She served in the U.S. Navy and was a lieutenant commander. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Dentist Award from Pierre Fauchard Academy, the Italian Woman of the Year from Italian Heritage Festival, WVU School of Dentistry's Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Spatafore earned two Letters of Commendation from the United States Navy.
Kenneth N. Namerow, D.D.S., is winning the I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award. This award acknowledges a member whose contributions to endodontics in the area of education have demonstrated excellence through selfless commitment to full-time educational pursuits, and whose valuable contributions have instilled in his/her students the desire to pursue excellence in their careers.
Dr. Namerow is department chair of endodontics at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. He is a past president of the College of Diplomates and has published dozens of articles. He served in the U.S. Army, provided donated dental care to underserved communities across the world and secured a $700,000 endowment for a professorship at the NSU College of Dental Medicine which bears his name. Dr. Namerow was named "Professor of the Year" in 2013-2014 at Nova Southeastern University CMD.
Anibal R. Diogenes, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., is being bestowed with the Edward M. Osetek Educator Award. This award is given to a member that has been a full-time educator for up to 10 years; has demonstrated status as an outstanding educator by earning the esteem and respect of his/her students and faculty associates; by the quality of former/current students and their impact on endodontics; and by receiving invitations to present endodontic seminars, lectures or workshops at other educational institutions.
Dr. Diogenes is an associate professor and the director of the endodontic residency program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He was recently honored with the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) Pulp Biology and Regeneration Distinguished Scientist and the Journal of Dental Research Cover of the Year award. He has contributed the development of many endodontic programs and served as an advisor and mentor to students. He is also a member of the AAE's Editorial Board Committee.
Stephen P. Niemczyk, D.M.D., will be presented with the Calvin D. Torneck Part-time Educator Award. This award recognizes a part-time educator in a predoctoral or advanced specialty program in endodontics whose valuable contributions have demonstrated dedication to endodontics and instilled in his/her students the desire to pursue excellence in their careers.
Dr. Niemczyk is an assistant program director at Albert Einstein Medical Center with the Department of Dental Medicine and Post Graduate Endodontics. He was also director of endodontic microsurgery and clinical professor at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. He has presented on hundreds of topics, contributed to or authored six books and 13 reports. He is the recipient of many awards, including consecutively receiving the Earl Banks Hoyt Award for Academic Teaching Excellence.
Anil Kishen, B.D.S., M.D.S., Ph.D., is being honored with the Louis I. Grossman Award. This award recognizes an author for cumulative publication of significant research studies that have made an extraordinary contribution to endodontology.
Dr. Kishen is a professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry. He has published more than 135 journal publications, 20 book chapters, three books, and co-invented eight patents/invention disclosures. He has received several awards including Enterprise Challenge Innovator (Singapore), American Association of Endodontists Foundation-Denstply-Research Excellence and W. W. Wood Award for Excellence in Dental Education from The Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry. He is a prolific researcher whose work is focused on nanobiomaterials and phototherapeutics to fight oral health infections and improve patient outcomes. He specifically studies topics in endodontic infections and analyses interactions between host tissue and harmful bacteria.
Mahmoud Torabinejad, D.M.D., M.S.D., Ph.D., receives the Ralph Sommer Award. This award is given to the principal author(s) of a publication of specific significance to the science and art of endodontology.
Dr. Torabinejad was an adjunct professor at Loma Linda University, University of Pacific in San Francisco, University of California in San Francisco. He has presented on over 100 topics, authored 271 articles and has won the following awards: Iranian Gold Medal of Education, Ralph F. Sommer Award of the AAE, Louis I. Grossman Award of the AAE, Philanthropic award of the AAE Foundation, the Edgar D. Coolidge Award of the AAE, Louis I. Grossman Award of the French Association of Endodontists, LLUAHSC Vanguard Award for the Mission of Healing, Distinguished Dental School Research Award, Loma Linda University (LLU) Distinguished Investigator Award.
Alejandro M. Aguirre, M.B.A., D.D.S., is being celebrated with the Spirit of Service Lifetime Award. This award acknowledges a member who has demonstrated the true spirit of leadership either recently or over the years.
Dr. Aguirre is an endodontist with Endodontic Associates Limited in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan area of Minnesota. He has his master's in business administration and is a member or past member of local, state and national boards of different dental and volunteer organizations. Aside from being a skilled endodontist, his background also includes entrepreneurship, finance, business analytics, association management and leadership development, parliamentary procedure, diversity and inclusion, and consulting in all aspects of leadership especially on developing emerging leaders from traditionally underrepresented groups. His community service work includes Minnesota Mission of Mercy, where he was the first chair of the committee and raised over $300,000 in cash donations and involved in passing a new state law to allow out-of-state dentists who want to come to Minnesota to treat patients to obtain a temporary license.
Lynda L. Davenport R.D.A., FAADOM, will receive Honorary Membership which is granted by the Board of Directors in acknowledgment of their significant contributions that have furthered the advancement of endodontics.
Ms. Davenport is the practice manager for Endodontic Associates in Nashville. She has owned and managed a contracting business and was the president of a manufacturing company. She was a professional track organizer for AAE events, served on the AAE's Annual Meeting Planning Committee and was Chair of the Special Committee on Professional Staff Development. She currently serves at The Heimerdinger Foundation - Board of Directors and as chair of the Ambassador Committee, which is a nonprofit to support patients undergoing cancer treatment with foods identified to fight the side effects of cancer treatment.
About the American Association of Endodontists: The AAE is headquartered in Chicago and represents more than 8,000 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of nine dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association's website at aae.org. For more patient focused information, visit aae.org/patients.
[Category: Medical]
