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UMA Affiliations
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 06, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michele Nosko
mnosko@uma.org
Member Alert:
Collective Advocacy: UMA Members Visit Capitol Hill
ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 6, 2011—The United Motorcoach Association (UMA) and the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) hosted a joint meeting for their members on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. A delegation of 30 UMA members and staff went to Capitol Hill for the opportunity to hear about issues critical to private motorcoach carriers and to meet with their elected officials.
“We often get so busy that it is hard to focus on much more than day-to-day operations, but with so much of our business dependant on federal regulations, operators need to take a time out every once in awhile to speak up on how those regulations affect them,” said Tom Ready of Ready Bus Lines in La Crescent, MN and UMA’s Chairman of the Board. “During the past two days in Washington, I had the opportunity to meet with several of my state representatives and their aides to let them know what my business means to their districts and their constituents—I think these visits help give them more perspective about the issues affecting us and the more voices they hear, the better.”
On Wednesday, members were given an opportunity to meet one-on-one with their Representatives and Senators through pre-scheduled meetings to discuss issues critical to their businesses. UMA and NSTA members had a combined total of over 160 meetings with members of Congress throughout the day. The day concluded with dinner and keynote speaker Jim Nussle, former United States Congressmen from Iowa and former Chairman of the House Budget Committee and former Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush.
On Thursday morning, participants from both organizations heard from the following members of Congress on transportation-specific topics like the highway reauthorization bill: Congressman John Mica (R-FL), Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Congressman Jimmy Duncan (R-TN), Congressman Tim Scott (R-SC), Congressman Tom Latham (R-IA), Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA), Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), and Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL).
"I believe 160 visits to members of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives amounted to a clear victory for the entire motorcoach and bus industry as well as every school bus contractor in this country," said Victor S. Parra, President and CEO of UMA. "Congress now has a better understanding not only of the challenges we have as private bus operators but also the opportunities to improve the economy, increase jobs through private investment and reduce the federal deficit through utilization of our industry's equipment to serve the growing transportation needs of our great Nation."
“It is both critical and worthwhile to take the time to come and meet with your elected representatives to let them know how the laws and rules they pass affect you,” said Ken Presley, UMA’s Vice President of Industry Relations and COO. “More than ever, our industry is under the microscope and the meetings this year took on more purpose—we thank all of our members who joined us in DC these past few days, it really makes a difference.”
About UMA
The United Motorcoach Association is North America’s largest association for operators of motorcoach companies providing charter, tour and regular route services. Founded in 1971, UMA is comprised of over 900 professional bus and motorcoach companies who provide transportation services in all fifty states, Canada and Mexico, and more than 250 supplier, manufacturer, and travel partner members. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, UMA is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the entire motorcoach industry and providing its members with programs and services to enhance the success of their operations. More information can be obtained by visiting www.uma.org.
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