Winter 2007 OCMA NEWS - MEETING UPDATE

JANUARY OCMA MEETING EXPLORES OSHA THREAT

OCMA President George Deckebach, Miami-Cast, Inc. presents the OCMA Speakers Award to Nancy Newman, OSHA Cleveland office.

More than seventy (70) OCMA members and non-members attended the OCMA meeting on January 16, 2007, to hear several presentations focused upon the new OSHA Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for Primary Metal Industries including foundries. Ms. Nancy Newman, Assistant Area Director, OSHA Cleveland Office & John Sahayda, OSHA, Columbus Office outlined the key components of the new Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for the Primary Metal Industry (PMI) including foundries in Ohio. The purpose of the LEP is to reduce injuries and illnesses through an increased OSHA presence in Ohio. The key points of their presentation are summarized below.

1. Why the primary metal industry? PMI accounted for 20% of all manufacturing fatalities in the State of Ohio. PMI accounts for 26% of worksites in Ohio having at least one employee with blood lead levels of 30 ug/dL or greater during 2005, the last available data. PMI had the highest injury and illness rates based on 2004 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Finally, OSHA inspections of PMI worksites resulted in citations for overexposures for silica, lead, cadmium and other metal fumes, carbon monoxide, noise, and various chemicals used in foundry operations.

2. The primary inspection list will include all establishments with SICs where a fatal event is listed in the Ohio Fatality data period of January 1, 2000 to February 23, 2006. Primary Inspection List will include SIC codes #3321 Gray & Ductile Iron Foundries, #3222 Malleable Iron Foundries, 3225 Steel Foundries, and #3365 Aluminum Foundries. The secondary inspection list includes #3366 Copper Foundries and #3369 Non-ferrous foundries, except aluminum and copper.

3. Foundries participating in an OSHA consultation may be deferred from the inspection for 90 days. OSHA on-site consultation phone number is 1-800-282-1425. Applicants for the OSHA VPP and pre-SHARP programs can receive a deferral of inspections from 75 days to 18 months. VPP or SHARP participant companies will be deleted from the inspection list. Any establishment that received a comprehensive safety and health inspection within the previous 24 months will also be deleted from the lists.

4. The Inspection Procedures will include a comprehensive safety and health inspection that will address the following at a minimum:
o Material handling and storage, including but not limited to the use of cranes, forklifts and rail yards;
o Machine guarding;
o Personal protective equipment;
o Noise;
o Respirator use;
o Air contaminants;
o Review of all safety and health programs;
o Ergonomic hazards;
o Recordkeeping.

5. Sampling will be performed on all inspections, unless the facility has recent (no more than past six months) representative sampling performed by Ohio On-site Consultation showing no overexposures for all processes. All PMI inspections will also include an ergonomics program evaluation.
6. Material Handling & Storage:

> Cranes
> Rail yards
> Forklifts (Powered Industrial Vehicles).

7. Machine Guarding:
> Presses
> Shears
> Conveyors
> Drills
> Saws
> Grinders

8. Personal protective equipment please consult the AFS PPE Guidebook:
> Melting and pouring operations;
> Molding and coremaking;
> Cleaning and finishing;
> Machining;
> Maintenance and other operations. .

9. Noise:
> Hearing protection;
> Noise monitoring;
> Audiograms;
> Training;
> Noise Reduction if technologically and economically feasible.

10. Air Contaminants to be tested;
> Silica;
> Lead;
> Cadmium;
> Copper;
> Carbon Monoxide
> Formaldehyde;
> Benzene.

11. Safety and Health Programs:
> Hazard communication;
> Lockout & tagout;
> Fire protection;
> First Aid;
> Emergency response;
> Confined spaces.

12. Other issues to be monitored and inspected include walking/working surfaces. Furnace maintenance and relining of the refractory (sintering) will also be investigated during the inspection.

13. Help can be found at the OSHA website, www.osha.gov. Click on e-tools and the Safety and Health Topics Page. Ohio OSHA offices:

> Cleveland (216) 615-4266
> Cincinnati (513) 841-4132
> Columbus (614) 469-5582
> Toledo (419) 259-7542.

Albert Einstein provides an assist to Jack Schuldt, Safety Specialties, in highlighting the importance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Jack Schuldt, Safety Specialties, provided some insight into bringing a foundry into compliance and preparing for the LEP inspections. He has been working with OSHA since it was enacted in 1972 when he was working at GM Powertrain in Defiance. Key points of his presentation are provided below:

1. Reaching safety & health compliance does not have to be difficult and arduous, it can be easy and fun. The AFS PPE Guide and the ASTM E-2349 Foundry Standard will guide you to compliance. Both of these documents were written by AFS Committee members and take into consideration the operation of a foundry.

2. A key area where the OSHA inspectors will be most observant is lockout/tagout. Violations of lockout/tagout can result in severe injuries and even death. Lockout/tagout is a method of keeping equipment from being set in motion and endangering workers. It is the primary method of hazardous energy control. When tasks are routine, repetitive, and integral to the production process, lockout/tagout prohibits the completion of these tasks. Every foundry should have a comprehensive lockout/tagout program.

3. Once a lockout/tagout program has been developed using applicable manufacturer’s documentation, industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and input from authorized individuals, each employee should receive training in the program before they perform service or maintenance tasks. The company should document that all initial and additional training has been conducted. The company should avoid exclusive use of generic training programs to ensure that authorized individuals adequately understand the company’s specific program.

4. A very useful tool in developing a safety & health program and preparing for the LEP inspections is the “Guide for Selection & Use of Personal Protective Equipment & Special Clothing for Foundry Operations”. This guide was developed by the AFS Safety & Health Committee (10Q) and has been recognized by OSHA as a valuable resource for foundries. The guide is available on the AFS website under the Environment, Health & Safety (EH& S) tab.

5. The guide will supplement the facility’s hazard assessment and it describes special considerations for selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and special clothing. The guide does not take the place of other OSHA regulations, ANSI standards, manufacturers recommendations or MSDSs. It is not the absolute answer to PPE selection. Company personnel are in the best position to determine the most appropriate PPE.

6. For example, sometimes OSHA inspectors push a certain type of PPE as required. This is generally not true. The facility can use alternatives as long as these alternatives protect the employees. Some inspectors try to insist that melt deck employees must be dressed in vinex, one of the most expensive protective clothing in the marketplace. Vinex is not required; other material that meets the safety requirements can be used.
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7. A key area to consider with PPE is making sure the employees wear it. It does not do any good to go through a process of determining the appropriate PPE for employees if the company does not enforce a policy for wearing it. Companies must use discipline if necessary to demonstrate the importance of wearing PPE. In preparing for the LEP, this is a slam-dunk.

8. In developing a comprehensive safety & health program, foundries are fortunate to have the ASTM Standard E 2349-05 “Standard Practice for Safety Requirements in Metal Casting: Sand Preparation, Molding, and Core Making; Melting and Pouring; and Cleaning and Finishing. The AFS 10-Q Committee wrote this approximately forty-page document and it lays out what is needed for a comprehensive program. Use it!

8. Once the OSHA inspector is in your plant, your goal is to get him/her out of the plant as soon as possible. The longer he/she is in the plant the greater is the likelihood he/she will find violations. Expediting the inspection begins with having all of your paperwork in order. If you do not have your paperwork in order, the inspector is already skeptical of your company’s commitment to safety & health.

9. If you are cited and receive violations, it is more important to have a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) at the informal conference than an attorney. Having a CSP demonstrates to OSHA that you are serious about safety.

10. If you have received a letter from OSHA under the Site Specific Targeting Program it means that your safety record is worse than average. Given the LEP and your receipt of the letter under the targeting program, you should expect to be inspected. Get ready!

Rebecca Bennett, Frantz Ward, is all smiles as she receives the OCMA Speakers Award from OCMA President George Deckebach.

Rebecca Bennett, Frantz Ward LLP, presented “Legal Considerations for OSHA Inspections”. Ms. Bennett was the author of the memo “OSHA Inspections: What Should OCMA Members Expect and How to Prepare” sent to all members in November 2006. The key points of her presentation are presented below:

1. Maintaining a safe and healthy workplace is very important. Occupational injuries and illnesses can have a major impact on business operations including lawsuits, fines, and penalties. Although Workers’ Comp is generally responsible for compensating an injured employee for injuries or illnesses, willful neglect of safety and health regulations can lead to a lawsuit charging intentional tort.

2. There are a number of different circumstances leading up to an OSHA inspection. The LEP is an example of a “targeted” or “programmed” inspection. Under the LEP, all PMI facilities are scheduled to undergo a comprehensive “wall to wall” inspection. Other types of inspections include one brought about by a complaint or referral; a random inspection, and inspections taking place after a fatality or catastrophe. Inspections, no matter how initiated, are likely to lead to fines and perhaps penalties because the OSHA system contains incentives based upon fines.

3. In preparing for an OSHA inspection be sure to select a “designated person” who will be responsible for greeting the OSHA inspector(s) and accompanying him/her (them) during the inspection process. The designated person should be known to all employees likely to greet the OSHA inspector(s) such as a receptionist or administrative personnel. They should be sure to ask the OSHA inspector to wait in the waiting area until the designated person is available. There should be a backup designated person as well.

4. The designated person should ask the OSHA inspector for his/her credentials and a copy of the inspection warrant. Assuming all is in order, an opening conference is your opportunity to tell the OSHA inspector about your company. Based upon conversations during the opening conference, you may determine it is necessary to alert management and contact legal counsel. Although it may be very difficult, it will serve you well to “make the OSHA inspector your friend”.

5. During the inspection process, you have the right to protect confidential information and trade secrets. This may include customer lists, pricing manuals, engineering designs etc. that should be stamped confidential. This is very important because OSHA cannot disclose confidential information even if the inspection brings about a lawsuit and discovery is allowed. The confidential information is not discoverable.

6. The OSHA inspector is likely to ask to interview employees. This is a requirement and you cannot refuse to allow employees to be interviewed. Employees can individually refuse to be interviewed, but management cannot prohibit the interviews. If the interview is of a management employee, you have control. You are allowed to be present and can participate in the interview. In the instance of a non-management employee interview, you should ask to sit in on the interview, but you are not entitled to do so.

7. The designated person should be trained to take notes during the inspection and he/her should do so during the entire inspection. They should know what to include and what to exclude. These notes could be revealed later in the process so it is important to know what not to put in the notes. If you are unsure about how best to provide this training, consult your legal counsel.

8. In preparing for an OSHA inspection, be sure the postings on your company bulletin board are correct and current. Be sure your recordkeeping is also up to date. The logs of injuries and illnesses and other required information should be kept in a binder ready for inspection at all times. Nothing starts an OSHA inspection off on the wrong foot more than an OSHA inspector’s discovery that you have not kept your records up to date.

9. If the OSHA inspection results in citations and notification of penalties, this notice must be posted. You should receive this information within six months of the inspection. Citations are classified in three categories: 1) Other than serious; 2) Serious; and 3) Repeat. It is important to negotiate on citations. Determine what condition you purportedly violated. Make sure it is a specific condition or regulation and not one that is open to the interpretation of an OSHA inspector at a subsequent inspection. That is how repeat violations often occur. Penalties can range from $500 to $500,000 except for repeat serious violations that can be more.

10. You will be provided the opportunity to attend an informal conference. You should take advantage of this opportunity; it will not make matters worse. You will not need an attorney for such a conference. Remember anything that you provide during the conference will be discoverable. You should have counsel accompany you to the conference if there was a fatality involved or you are aware that a lawsuit is pending.

11. All penalties are negotiable and OSHA is very likely to reduce the amount of the fines and penalties especially if the citations do not include repeat violations. You have a 15-day period to reach agreement. Make sure that you schedule the informal conference before the 15 days are up. If you choose to contest the penalties, you must do so in writing within 15 days of notice. Once you are in this situation; remember, the OSHA solicitor is always ready to settle and this could benefit you in your negotiations.

Scott Everhart, Everhart Financial Group, Inc. was literally a whirly dervish during his presentation on 401 (k) plans.

Scott Everhart CFP, & Andy Keeler CFP, Everhart Financial Group, Inc., provided some valuable insight concerning fees paid for company 401 (k) plans and the fiduciary responsibilities that accompany those plans. Key points of the presentation are outlined below:

1. The Government defines “fiduciary” as:

> An individual who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the management of the plan or the disposition of its assets;
> An individual who offers investment advice regarding plan assets and derives compensation for it – either directly or indirectly;
> An individual who has any discretionary authority or responsibility regarding plan administration.

2. The fiduciary responsibility rule in ERISA sets forth “reasonable expenses” and “reasonable compensation” as standards for the fiduciary to meet. Further, a fiduciary must discharge his duties “with the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent man acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims”.

3. Importantly, this sets a fiduciary standard as follows: “ERISA’s prudent standard is not that of a prudent lay person but rather that of a prudent fiduciary with experience dealing with a similar enterprise”. Therefore a fiduciary either must have the capability of a prudent fiduciary or he must utilize an expert with this capability to protect him from personal liability.

4. A typical 401 (k) plan will have the following components administering the plan:

> Investment Advisor
> Investment Manager(s)
> Record keeper
> Third Party Administrator (TPA)
> Note: All of these parties need to be compensated, so the fewer the better.

5. Many 401 (k) plans are administered by an insurance company. Since the insurance company is an “excess item” i.e. it is not needed to administer the plan, insurance company plans are generally overpriced.

6. Importantly, the task of determining the actual fees applied to a 401 (k) account is not very easy. Since there are a number of different components to the total cost of the plan and often the provider is not forthcoming about the costs; it can often be difficult to make that determination. Further, since the majority of these fees are applied against the assets of the 401(k) plan, the sponsoring company never receives an invoice for the fees so monitoring of the costs may be overlooked. However, since they are applied against the assets, these fees have a cumulative effect over time and can accumulate to significant dollars.

7. For example, R-shares are becoming more prominent in the compilation of 401 (k) plan administrative fees. As the table below shows, the fees for individual R shares can vary significantly even within one provider, in this case, Income Fund of America.

8. Sub TA Credits are common in 401 (k) pricing packages and they can be used to increase the fees without the sponsoring company’s knowledge. The credit is actually paid to the record keeper however, the amount of the credit is inside the mutual fund expense ratio and not easily determined. There are generally two methods 1) a flat dollar reimbursement of $12.00 per person or 2) a percentage of fund assets. These TA credits, which are actually fees, can range from 0% for a Vanguard platform to .25% for a platform using Columbia Funds. A .25% fee against a $5 million asset is a pretty high price for recordkeeping especially compared to the $12.00 per employee fee.

9. Record keepers and TPA’s are generally paid through the following:

> Base Fees – i.e. $1200
> Per Head Charges – i.e. $20/head
> Sub TA Credits – absorbed or used to offset costs
> Annuity or Asset Charges

10. Pricing Case Study #1
> Provider: Great West
> Employees: 250
> Assets: $5 million
> Deposits/year: $500k
> Average Fund Expenses 1.09 %
> Annuity Charge 1.00%

> Total Variable Costs 2.09%

Available Pricing with Everhart Financial Group (EFG) & recommended TPA/Record keeper -- 0.70%

The plan savings with EFG and recommended TPA/record keeper is more than $1.5 million over a ten-year period. This savings does not include the potential earnings of this amount over the ten-year period.

11. Pricing Case Study #5
> Provider: Fidelity
> Employees: 180
> Assets: $5.5 million
> Deposits/year: $700k
> Average Fund Expenses 1.36 %
> Annuity Charge 0.00%
> Total Variable Costs 1.36%

Available Pricing with Everhart Financial Group (EFG) & recommended TPA/Record keeper -- 0.70%

In this case, the EFG and recommended TPA/record keeper results in savings of nearly $900,000 over the ten year period.

12. What should you expect from your 401 (k) provider?

> Personal, on site fiduciary review, at least annually.
> Cost analysis.
> In-person group and one-on-one education and enrollment meetings conducted by Certified Financial Planner Certificants or Accredited Investment Fiduciary.
> Retirement projections for any participants that requests it.
> Discussions about Pension Protection Act (PPA) that gave employers safe harbors to 1) establish automatic enrollment programs and 2) utilize model portfolio for the default investment.
> Investment policy statement
> 404 (c) compliance.

13. Summary:

> You are a fiduciary.
> You are required to make sure that plan costs are reasonable.
> Most fiduciaries do not know what their plan costs are, or even where to look.
> You are required to perform these duties at the level of an “expert”.
> The penalties for coming up short are “personal liability”.
> Most plans we see are wildly overpriced, usually because the plan sponsor didn’t know what their fees were, where to look and their advisor was failing in their duty as well.
> The 401 (k) service industry is beginning to see lawsuits filed by plan participants claiming that the plan fiduciaries have failed to meet their duties. These lawsuits have ranged from charges that the costs of the fund were unreasonable to the plan did not provide for adequate retirement benefits.

Scott’s PowerPoint presentation including Pricing Case Studies #2-#4 is available from the OCMA office. Just call or e-mail if you would like it sent to you.

AFS President Al Lucchetti, Cumberland Foundry, stopped in to say hello and outline the many upcoming activities sponsored by AFS. highlighting the Government Affairs Conference in late March.

ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

OCMA Vice President for Environmental Affairs Dennis Baker, Flowserve Corporation, presented the environmental report. The PowerPoint environmental report is available from the OCMA office, just call or e-mail. Key issues are outlined below:

Generally Available Control Technology-Area Source Rules

· USEPA is preparing to introduce the Son of MACT or GACT. GACT will apply to area sources; those with a potential to emit less than 10 tons/yr for a single HAP or less than 25 tons/yr for any combination of HAPs. USEPA views area sources as important contributors of HAPs especially in urban areas. The USEPA is operating under Section 112(k)(1) which states that USEPA shall “achieve a substantial reduction in emissions of HAP from area sources”. Section 112(k)(3) requires USEPA to prepare a national strategy for urban air toxics.

· For those foundries using cupolas it has been agreed by both the AFS Working Group and USEPA that an emission limit of 0.8 lb PM/ton metal melted must be met; emission averaging is allowed.

· For those foundries using Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) or Electric Induction Furnaces (EIF) GACT rules will vary. For EAF’s, particulate matter shall be limited to 0.8 lb PM/ton metal melted and emission averaging will be permitted. For EIF’s, the AFS Working Group has proposed no controls because that is generally available technology, however, USEPA has been reluctant to accept this proposal. Their counter proposal is 0.8 lb PM/ton of metal melted, however, furnaces with a capacity less than 5 tph would not be required to meet this emission limit. The AFS Working Group maintains that this emission limit is not achievable without installation of significant air pollution controls that would not be cost effective.

· For new sources, USEPA has proposed that any cupola, EAF, or EIF must meet a PM emission limit of 0.3 lb PM/ton metal melted. During the AFS Working Group’s analysis of what is generally available technology in the industry, it determined that only the top 25-30% of melt furnaces could meet this limit. The 0.3 lb PM/ton emission limit would require that these furnaces be equipped with high-efficiency control systems, such as a baghouse or high-energy scrubber units.

· For VOHAP limits, for existing sources the AFS proposal requiring afterburners for cupolas with 10 tph or greater melt rate capacity was accepted by USEPA. Furan warm box mold or core making is required to use a binder system that does not contain methanol. For new sources, USEPA has proposed a requirement that all cupolas would be equipped with an afterburner. For pouring, cooling, and shakeout, the USEPA has proposed a 20 ppm/VOHAP for automated sand molding lines. The AFS Working Group position is no controls.

· For fugitive emissions, for each building or structure housing foundry operations, you must have a trained employee conduct a weekly visual inspection and record whether emissions are normal or abnormal. “Normal” means those conditions prevailing, or expected to prevail, eighty percent (80%) of the time the process is in operation, not counting startup or shut down. A “trained employee” is an employee who has worked at the plant at least one (1) month and has been trained in the appearance and characteristics of normal visible emissions for that specific process. Visual inspection must be part of the O & M plan. Rule does not apply to fugitive emissions or emissions from roof fans, roof vents, or equivalent that are subject to a specific PM emissions limit. USEPA has agreed to this proposal. The same would hold for new sources.

· Initial Compliance – Each iron or steel foundry covered by this area source rule will be required to have a certified reader conduct a one-time Initial Performance Test (IPT) to certify that “normal” operating opacity for the entire building or structure housing foundry operations is less than or equal to 20%. One reading will be taken on each building or structure housing foundry operations and record whether emissions are greater than or less than 20% opacity.

· For TEA control, each phenolic urethane cold box mold or core-making line using triethylamine (TEA) at an iron or steel foundry must control TEA emissions with a wet acid scrubber where:

· The pH of the scrubber blowdown does not exceed 4.5 for the pH of the scrubber blowdown, as measured once every operating day;
· If applicable, the recirculating pump is operating properly as determined once every operating day.

· A scrap management plan that incorporates mercury switch removal requirements using the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program template will be necessary.

S. B. 265 New Air Toxic Rule

· In legal action taken in late December, the Sierra Club, Ohio Citizen Action, Ohio Academy of Trial Attorneys, and others sued the Ohio EPA over the new rules implementing the recently enacted statute. The plaintiffs motion maintains that:

· The rule ignores the mandatory duties of the Director found in ORC 3704.03 (F)(3);
· Ohio EPA has changed the federally approved State Implementation Plan (SIP) by not including all air contaminants;
· Twenty-three errors or issues are to be resolved through the Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC).

New Proposed Industrial Waste Rules

o As described by Ohio EPA Administrator, the Agency has been working for two years to create a “common sense approach for the regulation of industrial waste disposal”.
o Proposed rule is under review, but it was put together with no input from industry;
o One notable change, the maximum allowable limit for constituents (lead, arsenic, mercury, total of ten) has been reduced by 30% from former Ohio EPA Policy 400.007.
o OCMA submitted formal comments on the proposed industrial waste rules prior to the October 31, 2006 deadline.

Beneficial Reuse

· Ohio EPA formally proposed a rule to replace rescinded OEPA Policy 400.007 on November 8, 2006. The original deadline for comments was extended until Tuesday, February 6, 2007.
· OCMA Environmental Affairs Committee met on Friday, January 5, 2007, to review the proposed rule and to assign comment writers.
· Troublesome phrasing in the proposed rule includes the definition of beneficial use as “disposal” of an industrial byproduct and industrial byproduct as an ”industrial waste”.
· The definition of source separated is “industrial waste or other waste that has been separated at the point of generation (our emphasis) from other industrial wastes or other wastes. OCMA does not favor a rule that would require the separation of foundry sand streams based upon point of generation.
· Alternative daily cover is excluded from the beneficial use rule and listed under the proposed industrial waste rules.
· Seven different grab samples are required with two different testing protocols:

Ø Concentration testing (mg/l); to be used for beneficial uses such as geotechnical fill and bonded surface course material;
Ø Totals testing (mg/kg) is to be used for soil blending;
Ø Testing costs are approximately $350 per protocol or nearly $5,000 total;
Ø Under the proposed rule, these tests would be required annually.

· The proposed rules would add more pre-approved beneficial uses such as structural embankments and barrow pits.

Join Us This Spring

The next meeting well be the annual foundry tour to be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, in Coshocton. We are fortunate to be touring two foundries, a large one and a small one, Clow Water Systems and San CasT, Inc. Contact Russ Murray at 614-876-5100 for more information.

New Members

Please join us in welcoming new members:

EMSCO, Inc.
Covenant Associates, Inc.

OCMA Bulletin Board

The OCMA Board of Trustees has agreed to provide an opportunity for OCMA member companies to announce new products and/or services in the OCMA News. The service will be provided on a trial basis. Member companies choosing to utilize the service are requested to keep the announcement brief, fifty (50) words or less, and to try not to formulate the announcement as a “commercial”. Announcements will be published in the OCMA News as space allows and they will be prioritized on a first come first served basis. There will be no charge for this service. Hill & Griffith Company brought this issue to the Board’s attention and their announcement is set forth below:

Recently, Hill & Griffith started a new company, HG Logistics LLC. HG Logistics will provide trucking solutions for all types of freight for our industry as well as many others. We will specialize in Truck Load business, but have an inherent expertise in heavy hauls and specialized transports.

HELP US EDUCATE THE NEW DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS AT THE AFS GAC

The political firestorm last November swept the Republican Party out of control and installed the new Democratic Party led Congress with new leadership and “old” ideas. Although the voting public may have expressed their displeasure with the War in Iraq, they did not call for wholesale revision of the Bush Administration’s pro-growth agenda. It is important that we take that message to Capitol Hill this spring.

Repeating the popular format from last year’s meeting, the AFS GAC is scheduled from Wednesday, March 28 thru Friday, March 30, 2007. Attendees will spend their day “on the hill” Thursday, March 29, 2007. That evening, political analyst George Will is scheduled to mix and mingle with attendees at the special industry reception and provide a brief review of the political scene. George is likely to handicap both the 2008 Presidential races and the Chicago Cubs chances of playing in the World Series in 2007.

Last year the cherry blossoms were gone by April so maybe we will get to enjoy them this year. Hope to see you there.