Capitol Hill

During NRCA's 117th Annual Convention and Exhibit held in San Diego Feb. 22-25, NRCA's federally registered political action committee, ROOFPAC, raised $175,000—a combination of "hard dollars" from individuals to support candidates and "soft dollars" from companies to sponsor ROOFPAC events.

Although some contributions came from individuals who stopped by ROOFPAC's booth in the San Diego Convention Center, most contributions were made in connection with ROOFPAC's golf, tennis and sporting clays tournaments held Sunday, Feb. 22, and auction held Monday, Feb. 23.

Tournaments

Despite rain that swept through San Diego during the opening day of convention, ROOFPAC's golf and sporting clays tournaments were completed. Regrettably, heavier rain fell over the San Diego Marriott, forcing the tennis tournament to be cancelled.

Of 174 registered golfers, 150 golfers took to the links. The sporting clays tournament had 35 registrants and 30 participants. And there were 23 tennis registrants who, despite not playing, enjoyed lunch at the San Diego Marriott that originally was scheduled to present tennis tournament awards.

ROOFPAC thanks Firestone Building Products Co., Carmel, Ind., Grand Patron of the golf tournament, and other generous golf sponsors. ROOFPAC also thanks Medina, Ohio-based Uniflex, sponsor of the sporting clays tournament, and Avenel, N.J.-based Bradco Supply Corp., sponsor of the tennis tournament.

ROOFPAC auction

ROOFPAC's auction, sponsored by GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., is held during election years. The 2004 auction took place at the San Diego Marriott; about 275 people attended the 90-minute event. There were 48 items up for bid, and 12 of those items were featured in the live auction.

The highlight of the evening occurred when NRCA Senior Vice President Dane Bradford, president of Bradford Roof Management, Billings, Mont., and his wife, Sandy, offered themselves as live auction item No. 4, "Party With the Prez Culinary Fly-in," a customized dinner party prepared and served by the Bradfords for up to eight people in the winning bidder's home. (Bradford's term as NRCA president begins in June.)

The winning bid of $16,000 was from Bob and Barbara Dalsin; Bob is president of John A. Dalsin & Son Inc., Minneapolis, and Barbara is chairwoman of M & S Roofing Inc., Blaine, Minn. To spice up the auction, the Dalsins' winning bid was matched by Bill Taylor, chief executive officer and chairman of D.C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and his wife, Julie. Taylor is chairman of NRCA's PAC Advisory Committee.

Election strategy

The funds raised by ROOFPAC during the convention will help NRCA fulfill its agenda in Washington, D.C.

ROOFPAC supports pro-business candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and with the stakes so high in the presidential race, ROOFPAC has given the maximum amount allowable under federal law to Bush-Cheney '04. The decision to support Bush-Cheney was based on significant policy differences between President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on issues of fundamental importance to NRCA.

For example, Bush rescinded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) ergonomics standard. But in Kerry's response to a questionnaire from the AFL-CIO about his view of workplace safety, he stated, "I'd start by stepping up OSHA inspections ... and [reinstating] the standards for ergonomics the Bush administration canceled."

Supporting Senate candidates also is important. Many legislative initiatives supported by NRCA, such as asbestos reform and other legal-reform proposals, have stalled in the Senate because it takes 60 votes to stop debate. This means 41 senators can prevent debate from ending. With 51 Republicans, 49 Democrats and one Independent making up the Senate, stalled legislation has been common.

To get the Senate moving, ROOFPAC already has supported key Senate races in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and South Dakota where Republican pickups greatly will enhance prospects to pass legal (tort) reform and other pro-business proposals. Professional Roofing will keep readers informed as more states are added to this list.

ROOFPAC is an essential vehicle for NRCA's voice to be heard in Washington. Roofing professionals' support of ROOFPAC during NRCA's convention—as well as during the year—is much appreciated.

Craig S. Brightup is NRCA's vice president of government relations.