Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) Speaks Before Record Number of NACD Members at Their Washington Fly-In

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) met in Washington, D.C. today for the Association's Annual Washington Fly-In.  Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) spoke to the group at breakfast on critical issues affecting the chemical distribution industry and commended them on their efforts to educate Congress on those key issues.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100811/NACDLOGO )

The Congressman said, "The best way to express your point of view to elected officials is by direct communication, whether in our home districts or in Washington.  I commend NACD for its involvement in this process.  NACD is not just a membership organization.  It goes beyond by including a mandatory safety and security program that benefits their companies, employees, and the public."

During the event, a record 80 NACD participants visited 215 Senators, Representatives, and congressional staff members representing 39 states.  In meetings, NACD members urged Congress to support:

• The enactment of straightforward, long-term legislation, such as H.R. 901 and H.R. 908, to extend the current chemical security program with no changes.  
• The modernization of TSCA in a way that embraces a true risk-based model that effectively manages chemicals in the United States while acknowledging the innovations and safe processes of the chemical distribution industry.
• The passage of both S. 49, the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act and S. 158, the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act.

NACD President Chris Jahn said, "We are particularly pleased that a record number of NACD members came to Washington to meet with their Senators and Representatives about issues important to the chemical distribution industry.  There is now a much greater awareness on Capitol Hill about the value the NACD chemical distributors bring to the supply chain and how key legislative proposals would impact the industry."

NACD and its 390 member companies are vital to the chemical supply chain providing products to over 750,000 end users.  They make a delivery every five seconds while maintaining a safety record that is more than twice as good as the safety standards set by DOT.  NACD members are leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of Responsible Distribution, established in 1991 as a condition of membership and is a third-party verified management practice. For additional information on our members, their safety record or NACD, visit NACD's website — http://www.nacd.com.

CONTACT:  Matthew T. Glaser

703/527-6223

SOURCE National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)