Apr 27, 2010
BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA — As U.S. companies in the electronics interconnect industry roll up their sleeves to get down to business at IPC’s Capitol Hill Day, two Washington insiders will be sharing their insights on influencing public policy. IPC’s Capitol Hill Day on June 9–10, 2010, will feature Charles “Charlie” Black, Jr. and U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey of New York as the keynote and luncheon speakers respectively. The event will focus on influencing legislators on issues critical to the global competitiveness of the electronic interconnect industry.
Following an afternoon of issue briefs and an evening networking session, keynote speaker Charles ‘Charlie’ Black, Jr. will provide an update on the political climate in Washington, D.C. Mr. Black is best known as one of America’s foremost political strategists and has worked with Presidents Reagan, Bush, W. Bush, and most recently with Senator John McCain.
Congressman Hinchey, a strong supporter of the electronic interconnect companies in his district, will speak to IPC Capitol Hill Day attendees at a luncheon in the historic Rayburn House Office Building. Attendees will hear first-hand how a member of Congress can support electronic interconnect companies and learn how they can build relationships with their elected officials that may lead to future support of their companies.
To help prepare attendees for meetings with their respective congressmen, Brian Fitzgerald, a partner at the lobbying and law firm of PCT Government Relations, LLC, will provide a comprehensive briefing on government support for R & D tax credits. U.S. R & D tax credits expired on December 31, 2009, resulting in a daily average loss of $45 million and 330 jobs by U.S. high-technology industries, including the electronics industry. If reinstated in 2010 and beyond, R&D tax credits could be claimed by companies developing a printed board design, designing various iterations, creating prototypes, performing testing, and for scrap byproducts.
An ongoing issue affecting future U.S. national security is obtaining congressional funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) Printed Circuit Board Executive Agent. Mikel Williams, president and CEO, DDi Corp, will provide a briefing about this critical issue that affects the ability of the entire U.S. electronic interconnect supply chain to meet future DoD needs.
In addition, dormant bills in Congress that could affect businesses, such as the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), or Card Check, are resurfacing. Glenn Spencer, executive director of the Workforce Freedom Initiative at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and former acting chief of staff to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, will brief attendees on the potential effects of Card Check legislation. If enacted, Card Check legislation would effectively rewrite U.S. labor laws, ultimately threatening a company’s ability to create jobs. Card Check legislation was barely defeated in the previous session of Congress and could be enacted if industry does not make its concerns heard.
Before attendees head out for legislative appointments, Chris Fish, vice president of McAllister & Quinn LLC, will share pointers on how to lobby effectively. Mr. Fish leads the technology and renewable energy practice for his firm and has two decades of experience working for numerous members of Congress.
Companies in the electronic interconnect industry are strongly encouraged to send a representative to IPC’s Capitol Hill Day. Details and registration information for the event are available at http://www.ipc.org/CHD. Questions regarding Capitol Hill Day should be directed to Ron Chamrin, IPC manager of government relations, at RonChamrin@ipc.org or +1 703-522-0225.
About IPC
IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global trade association based in Bannockburn, Ill. USA, dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 2,700 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $1.7 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Arlington, Va.; Garden Grove, Calif.; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; and Shanghai and Shenzhen, China.
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