The Agricultural Transporters Conference of American Trucking Assns. will hold its 2003 Legislative Meeting in Washington, D.C. Feb. 12.
The annual event will be held in conjunction with ATA's 2003 Leadership Meeting.
"This meeting is of great importance to all commercial agricultural transporters," said ATC Chairman Charles Whittington, noting topics to be discussed include cargo security issues facing trucking, hours-of-service regulations, food security and key agricultural issues that must be addressed by the 108th Congress.
"We need to be in Washington to hear first-hand the latest information on challenges facing ag haulers and what we must do to overcome them," Whittington said.
Keynote speaker will be Jeffery Birnbaum, Fortune Magazine's Washington editor, speaking on the topic, "President Bush and the 108th Congress."
Guest speakers planned for the event include Reps. Doug Bereuter (R-Neb.), Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) and John Boehner (R-Ohio), all members of the House Transportation Committee. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman has been invited to brief meeting attendees on key agricultural and trade issues.
Other featured speakers include George A. Rodriguez, director of cargo security, Transportation Security Administration; Dr. Rhona Applebaum, executive vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, National Food Processors Assn.; David J. Salmonsen, director of congressional relations and legislative counsel, American Farm Bureau Federation; and David Osiecki, ATA vice president for safety and operations.
For more information, call Fletcher Hall at (703) 838-7999.