NFIB

Small business owners travel to the nation's capitol
NFIB/Alabama members traveled to the 2008 National Small Business Summit in Washington, D. C. earlier this month. Don Morgan with Morgan Properties in Cullman; Brett Dungan and his wife, Linda, and daughter Becky, with Master Marine, Inc. of Bayou La Batre; Dr. William and Tj Moore of Advanced Women's Health Care, Clanton; and Charlie and Beverly Douthit of Gunite Consultants of Birmingham joined small business owners from across the country at this year's event, held at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

NFIB President and CEO Todd Stottlemyer welcomed members to Washington and outlined the Summit's agenda with "Stronger Together: Take It To the Hill Congressional Visits" along with practical workshops that were available to participants to help business owners grow and protect their businesses. Get more information about this year's Summit, including the keynote address by Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

NFIB/Alabama members went to Capitol Hill June 10 to visit members of the Alabama Congressional delegation, including Sen. Jeff Sessions, Rep. Jo Bonner (Mobile) and Rep. Terry Everett (Rehoboth). They also stopped by the office of Rep. Robert Aderholt (Haleyville).

NFIB members talked with the Alabama delegation about the rising cost of healthcare and the inability of many employers to access affordable health coverage. Health care is far and away the single most important long-term issue facing the small business community. They also discussed the rising cost of gas and they want lawmakers to develop a comprehensive energy policy that stabilizes the cost of doing business and puts America on a path toward energy independence.

Summit attendees enjoy D.C.
NFIB/Alabama members were given a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol and some of the House and Senate office buildings by Debbie McBride, staff assistant to Rep. Mike Rogers. Also, Alabama members sat in the House and Senate Galleries and watched members of Congress, including Reps. Spencer Bachus, Artur Davis, Mike Rogers, Terry Everett and Jo Bonner, vote on legislation

Some Alabama attendees also attended a Washington Nationals baseball game, the Navy Memorial, the newly opened Newseum and the Crime and Punishment Museum. Sunday evening was a special "D.C. After Dark Trolley Tour" of some of the famous monuments including the Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson memorials, the Korean Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial. See a gallery of pictures from Summit, including pictures of Sen. McCain's speech and the delicious donuts and chocolate mousse dessert from the opening night dinner at the National Portrait Gallery.

The next Summit will be in 2010. Start making your plans to attend and bring you family to the nation's capital. The District pulls out all the stops to extend a friendly hand to families. Where else can kids visit the president's house, touch a moon rock, view the city from the National Mall and cruise the Potomac all in the same day? Start planning to see your nation's Capitol in 2010.

Rosemary Elebash
NFIB/Alabama State Director
Rosemary.Elebash@NFIB.org