Capitol Hill

ROOFPAC, NRCA's federally registered political action committee, supports pro-business candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. ROOFPAC is sustained through donations from NRCA members and receives no funding from annual NRCA membership dues. Initiated in 1990, ROOFPAC has contributed to hundreds of congressional candidates, but not until the 2000 election did ROOFPAC support a presidential candidate, giving the maximum amount allowable by law—$5,000—to President Bush. For the 2004 election cycle, ROOFPAC already has contributed to 40 congressional candidates and once again has given the maximum amount allowable to Bush. But there is more to be done.

ROOFPAC's growth has bolstered the effects of NRCA's Washington, D.C., office and legislative agenda. The recent introduction of the Realistic Roofing Tax Treatment Act of 2003, S 1679/HR 3310, which would shorten the depreciation schedule for commercial roof systems from the current 39-year period to 20 years, demonstrates ROOFPAC is achieving success and reflects NRCA's clout on Capitol Hill. ROOFPAC will contribute to members of Congress who sponsor the act and, particularly, have a proprietary interest in seeing the act is passed into law, providing a boost for the industry and, ultimately, U.S. economy.

But to build on the political momentum created for NRCA's legislative agenda, it is imperative ROOFPAC receives as much financial support as possible during NRCA's 117th Annual Convention and Exhibit, Feb. 22-25, 2004, in San Diego. ROOFPAC events include golf, tennis and sporting clays tournaments and an auction. Proceeds from these events will account for roughly 50 percent of ROOFPAC's budget for the 2004 election cycle.

Golf

The San Diego region offers an extraordinary opportunity to host ROOFPAC's annual golf tournament. Participants will enjoy southern California's picturesque wine country while teeing off at the Temecula Creek Inn. Temecula Creek Inn offers a stunning 27-hole championship layout that recently received the coveted Four Star rating from Golf Digest's Places to Play. The inn's 27 holes offer ROOFPAC supporters three distinct course options: the Stonehouse Course, Oaks Course and Creek Course.

About 200 people participate in the golf tournament each year, and the scramble format takes about five hours to play. NRCA's PAC Advisory Committee is excited to have secured a top-tier venue that can handle a tournament of this size while being close enough to the convention center and hotels to allow players the necessary time to return to their hotels and prepare for the 3 p.m. trade-show opening.

Firestone Building Products Co., Carmel, Ind., is Grand Patron of the tournament, which will be held Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, and begin with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start. Thanks to the support of Firestone Building Products and other generous sponsors, golfers will receive breakfast, lunch and transportation.

Tennis

ROOFPAC's tennis tournament, sponsored by Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J., will take place at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, at 9 a.m. Players of all skill levels can participate in its round-robin, doubles format and take part in an awards luncheon immediately following play. The lunch will be held along the waterfront at the Marriott's scenic yacht club patio.

Sporting clays

ROOFPAC's sporting clays tournament, sponsored by Uniflex, Medina, Ohio, will be held at the Miramar Trap & Skeet Club, which is home to the San Diego Shotgun Sports Association, on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004, at 11 a.m. Participants will shoot 50 targets with help from a certified instructor, and the facility will furnish guns, ammunition, and eye and ear protection. Lunch and transportation will be provided.

Auction

ROOFPAC's first auction was at the San Diego convention in 1996 and has been held every other year since then. GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., is sponsor of the 2004 auction at the San Diego Marriott on Monday, Feb. 23, from 6:30-8 p.m. Donor support ensures an array of items, including vacation packages, jewelry, artwork, electronics, industry products, and sports and political memorabilia. The auction will feature silent and live auctions; bidding on silent-auction items will begin in conjunction with the trade-show opening at the ROOFPAC booth.

If you have any questions about participating in the tournaments or donating an item to the auction, contact Elisa Brewer, NRCA's director of public affairs, at (202) 546-7584 or ebrewer@nrca.net.

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