Rep. Richard Neal to Address Big ‘I’ Legislative Conference

U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts) will address Big “I” members during the 2019 Big “I” Legislative Conference Breakfast on Thursday, May 9.

Chairman Neal will be a keynote speaker at the event, which occurs just prior to the association’s annual day on Capitol Hill. The event will also include remarks by a Republican lawmaker. Every year, agents and brokers visit Capitol Hill offices to educate members of the U.S. Senate and House, and their staffs, on issues that directly impact independent insurance agents and brokers and the consumers they serve.

“Big ‘I’ Chairman Joe Leahy has known Chairman Neal since the early 1970s—another example of the strong relationships Big ‘I’ members have with their members of Congress,” says Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Chairman Neal understands the role small businesses play in our economy and appreciates what independent agents do every day to strengthen their communities.”

Chairman Neal was first elected to the House in 1988, and has served as chairman of the powerful tax-writing Ways and Means Committee since January 2019. He is the dean of both the Massachusetts Delegation and the New England Congressional Delegation. Prior to serving in Congress, Chairman Neal was mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts from 1984 to 1988.

“We are honored to have the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee—the oldest committee in Congress—speaking to our members,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for external, industry and government affairs. “Chairman Neal will be the lead on issues ranging from taxes to health care to trade, and we look forward to hearing his thoughts on topics important to independent agents and brokers and their clients.”

The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. Online registration is open for this year’s event, to take place May 8-10 at the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel.

Katie Butler is IA editor in chief.