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ICAR Symposium (April 11 - 14)
Noise & Dust Workshop (April 12 -14)
Basic Sales Course (April 17-21)
TCC Fly-In (April 26-27)
Young Leaders Council (April 29 - May 1)
Advanced Supervisory Training (May 2 - May 4)

Congressional Roundup

Congress is in recess this week, the second of a two-week spring break. During the recess, the Americans for Transportation Mobility, of which NSSGA is a founding member, is running a radio ad at drive times in selected states across the country to urge Congressional action on reauthorization. The ads will be heard in states represented by Congressional leadership, including Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, Iowa and Pennsylvania. The ads will be played in the Washington, D.C., area when Congress returns to work. ATM calls for Congress to "do its job" and make a "long-term commitment to maximum funding for America's highway and transit systems." With the current TEA 21 extension set to expire at the end of May, ATM is working to build momentum for quick Senate action after Congress returns from the recess so that a conference committee can complete its work reconciling the House and Senate bills before the end of May.

Aggregates in Action Issues Grassroots Action Alert

NSSGA's Aggregates in Action (A2) grassroots program has issued an action alert asking members to contact their U.S. senators during the current congressional recess and ask them to push for the enactment of a highway reauthorization bill at the highest possible funding level. NSSGA has posted a sample letter in its online legislative action center for members to use when contacting their senators. Members may also call NSSGA's Washington Action Hotline at (800) 450-8293 to be connected directly to the U.S. Capitol Switchboard where they may ask to speak with their senators' Washington offices. Another option available is to call senators' local home state offices directly while the Senate is in recess.

NSSGA's message to its members is to tell their senators they support a final bill at least at the funding level of last year's Senate-passed bill ($318 billion) in order to alleviate the traffic congestion that costs the U.S. economy close to $70 billion in lost productivity and motor fuel every year. Also, NSSGA members should point out such a bill would create over 2 million much-needed domestic job opportunities while helping to reduce the 43,000 deaths that occur annually on the nation's deteriorating highways where roadway conditions are a contributing factor in one-third of those fatalities.

Please take a moment this week to weigh in with your senators to get a reauthorization bill done and done right!

Small Airport Funds in Jeopardy

Small and general aviation (GA) airports are facing some unpleasant facts in the administration's proposed Federal Aviation Administration budget. The Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which is heavily relied on by small and GA airports around the country, was reduced from an authorized $3.6 billion to $3 billion. Congress funded the program at $3.5 billion in FY2005.

The Airport Improvement Program provides funding for infrastructure and safety improvements at general aviation and they (i.e., small airports) receive 20 percent of the AIP funds. In addition, general aviation airports on the National Plan of Integrated Air Service receive an annual entitlement of $150,000. By law, if AIP funding falls below $3.2 billion, the small airport set aside is reduced from 20 percent to 18.5 percent, and the general aviation entitlement of $150,000 would be eliminated. Figuratively speaking, small and GA airports get less of less.

Considering small and GA airports invest much of their AIP funds into structural improvements (runways, aprons and buildings), NSSGA is looking for ways to help increase the AIP funds. NSSGA will keep you apprised of activities in this area.

Association Health Plans (AHP) Off to a Healthy Start

Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) reintroduced his bill, aptly named Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005 (H.R. 525), to allow associations to provide health care coverage (Association Health Plans, or AHP) to small businesses. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) reintroduced a companion bill in the Senate. The House Committee on Education and Workforce passed the bill on a 25 to 22 vote earlier this month and H.R. 525 now awaits floor action. It is unclear when the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will consider the bill. AHP is an action item for NSSGA and the Government Affairs Team will work for passage of this important bill.

ROCKPAC Mercedes Reception a Smash Hit; Previous Records Shattered

The annual ROCKPAC Mercedes Reception was held March 16, at the Las Vegas Hilton during the NSSGA convention and it was a smashing success! Congratulations go out to Scott Hughes of Anchor Stone, Tulsa, Okla., who won the Grand Prize 2005 Mercedes Benz and the 40 other prizewinners.

For the first-time ever, ROCKPAC raised more than $300,000 at a single event. In fact, a bit more than $311,000is now available for investment in America's political process. In addition, ROCKPAC exceeded the 1,000-tickets-sold marker, selling almost 1,200 tickets.

Executives from Martin Marietta Materials and H. B. Mellott Estate received awards for their outstanding levels of participation, both exceeding $20,000 raised from among their respective employees. Martin Marietta Materials CEO Steven P. Zelnak, Jr., and H. B. Mellott Estate CEO Paul Mellott were both on hand to accept the awards on behalf of their companies' executives.

If you hold a winning ticket and were not present at the event, you will be contacted soon regarding your prize claim information. Any ROCKPAC Major Donor ($500 and up) who did not receive their gift bag in Las Vegas will have it shipped to them. If you do not receive your gift bag or have any problems with it, please contact Jim Riley at (703) 526-1084. Thanks once again to everyone who contributed to ROCKPAC this year. Plan to be there next year in Tampa.

2005 ROCKPAC MERCEDES RECEPTION PRIZE WINNERS
Sponsor	Prize	Winner
Aggregate Industries, Inc	One Week Vacation in Marco Island, Florida	Heyward Green
American Bin & Conveyor	Jewelry Set - Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings	Denver Woolsey
Anchor Stone Company	Blackberry Handheld and Cell Phone Combo with 6 Months Service	John Wayland
Austin Powder Company	Crutchfield Electronics Gift Certificate	Scott McGeorge
Casper Stolle Quarry & Contracting Co.	$1000 Nordstrom Gift Certificate	Greg Odenthal
Cedarapids, Inc.	SAMSUNG 30" Dynaflat HDTV	Len Suzio
Chaney Enterprises	Home Theater System	Kim Snyder
Continental Conveyor & Equipment Co.	Diamond Tennis Bracelet	Randy Allen
Dolese Bros. Co.	Dell Computer and Printer	Naaman Ritchie
New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc.	First Bonus Round $3,000	Dana Guzzo
Dyno Nobel, Inc.	$1,000 Nieman Marcus Gift Certificate	Lisa Suzio
Eastern Industries, Inc.	Steuben Glass	Paul Detwiler, III
Falvey Steel Castings, Inc.	Home Entertainment System	Joyce Watson
Feltes Sand & Gravel Co., Inc.	Williams-Sonoma Gift Certificate	Len Suzio
Florida Rock Industries, Inc.	Diamond Earrings	Charlie Jones
Granite Construction Co.	Sony 30" Trinitron WEGA Hi-Scan TV	Ed Elliott
Granite Mountain Quarries	Panasonic MiniDV Camcorder	Steve Detwiler
H & K Materials, Inc.	His and Hers Movado Watches	Paul Detwiler, III
Halquist Stone Company, Inc.	$1000 United Airlines Gift Certificate	Ward Nye
H. B. Mellott Estate/Mellott Enterprises, Inc.	Second Bonus Round $4,000	Ken Mulzer, Sr.
Hilltop Basic Resources, Inc.	His and Hers Club Glove Golf Travel Bags	Donald Williamson
Knife River Corp.	Pheasant Hunting Trip	John Cooney, Jr.
Linwood Mining & Minerals Corp.	Sony Digital Camcorder	William Sandbrook
Luck Stone Corporation	$1,000 Orvis Gift Certificate	Douglas Gurlea
Martin Stone Quarries, Inc.	$1,000 Marriott Gift Certificate	Phyllis Harden
McLanahan Corporation	Laptop Computer	Lyle Sitterly, Jr.
McPherson Enterprises Ltd.	Florida Getaway	Joseph Jones
National Lime & Stone Co., Inc.	$1,000 Hilton Hotels Gift Certificate	Paul Detwiler, III
Nugent Sand Company	$1,000 Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Certificate	Joe Parker
John Deere Construction Equipment, Inc	Third Bonus Round John Deere Gator	Bob Mayville
Process Machinery, Inc	Set of Calloway X16 Steelheads	Ward Nye
Rinker Materials	Tag Heuer Watch	Brian Mellott
Rock Industries, Inc.	Calloway ERC Fusion Driver / Wood / Putter	Larry Neal
Rockwell Automation Power Systems	Best Buy Gift Certificate	James Stewart
Standard Gravel Company, Inc.	Jewelry	Samuel Rechter
Stedman Machine Company	Bose Home Entertainment System	Pam Whitted
Teichert Materials	Mont Blanc Sterling Silver Pen Set	Joe Schlabach
TXI	Custom Designed Women's Jewelry	Paul Mellott
West Coast Aggregates, Inc.	Weekend in Carmel, Ca. Cottage	John Bush
York Hill Trap Rock Quarry Company, Inc.	Deluxe Ski Package	William Boatman
Astec Industries, Inc. CEMCO, Inc. Deister Machine Co., Inc. Hanson Building Materials America, Inc. Lafarge Construction Materials Martin Marietta Aggregates Metso Minerals Oldcastle M aterials, Inc. Rogers Group, Inc. Vulcan Materials Company National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association	Grand Prize 2005 Mercedes-Benz	Scott Hughes

NSSGA Government Affairs Committee Meeting to Support TCC Fly-In, April 26-27

The Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) is busy preparing for the spring TCC Fly-In, April 26-27, at the Hotel Washington in Washington, D.C. NSSGA is holding a Government Affairs Committee meeting from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 26 at the Hotel Washington before the start of the fly-in. Lunch will be served, followed by a one-hour meeting of the ROCKPAC Trustees beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The TCC General Session will begin at 2:30 p.m. on April 26, and a Congressional reception will follow at 6:00 p.m. The morning of April 27 will begin with a breakfast speaker followed by a day of lobbying on Capitol Hill. The fly-in comes at a critical time in TEA 21 reauthorization, with only one month remaining until the expiration of the May 31 extension. In addition to TEA 21 reauthorization, Congress will be trying to negotiate the funding levels for the 13 annual appropriations bills, including Transportation-Treasury appropriations.

The TCC has received a room rate extension from the Hotel Washington through midnight on March 30. The original deadline was close of business on March 24. Reservations may be made under the "TCC Fly-In" room block by calling (202) 638-5900 or (800) 424-9540.

See the TCC Fly-in preliminary agenda.

Applicants Sought for '06 Jennifer Curtis Byler Scholarship

The Jennifer Curtis Byler Scholarship Fund provides an annual scholarship to the child of an aggregates industry employee who wishes to pursue collegiate studies in public or government affairs. Applications are being accepted until May 31. Contact the Government Affairs Division if you have questions.

Only Two Days Left to Renew NSSGA Membership for 2005!

1. An annual renewal deadline was set at the direction of the NSSGA Board of Directors. The date March 31 is the renewal "deadline" that will keep members in good standing for all association billables. Member companies that don't renew by March 31 will be billed at non-member rates for all costs, including the 2005 annual convention just concluded in Las Vegas, until they have renewed.
2. We are attempting to collect sales data (required for dues calculation) from all members. This confidential information helps us better determine the growth of the association membership compared to the industry at large. All information will be treated with the highest confidence, and will be used only collectively to measure the association's growth in representation.

Register Now for Young Leaders Council's Annual Meeting in Hilton Head

NSSGA Welcomes New Officers, Directors at Las Vegas Convention

NSSGA's annual convention and the largest CONEXPO-CON\CON-AGG show to date concluded March 19 with nearly 900 aggregates industry leaders from around the U.S. registered for both events. NSSGA attendance was the highest since 9/11 while CONEXPO-CON\CON-AGG occupied nearly two million square feet of exhibit space.

During the course of the convention, NSSGA's chairmanship passed from Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr., of Martin Marietta Materials to Richard J. Feltes of Feltes Sand & Gravel. In addition to Feltes, officers elected for 2005 were First Vice Chairman Donald M. James, Vulcan Materials Co.; Second Vice Chairman Louis A. Griesemer, Springfield Underground; Secretary Thomas G. Farrell, Lafarge Construction Materials America; Treasurer John D. Baker, II, Florida Rock Industries, Inc.; and President & CEO Joy Wilson, NSSGA. Zelnak serves as Immediate Past Chairman.

Newly elected members of the NSSGA Board of Directors are William E. Schneider, Knife River Corporation; Alan Oremus, Prairie Material Sales, Inc.; and Gerard Geraghty, Rogers Group, Inc. Elected voting members of the Executive Committee are Paul Detweiler, III, New Enterprise Stone; Thomas J. Halquist, Halquist Stone Company, Inc.; Randy J. Kremer, Granite Construction, Inc.; W. Scott McGeorge, Granite Mountain Quarries; William J. Sandbrook, Oldcastle Materials, Inc.; William E. Schneider, Knife River Corporation; Michael E. Stanczak, Material Service Corporation; John F. Steele, Jr., Hilltop Basic Resources, Inc. and Leonardo H. Suzio, York Hill Trap Rock Quarry Co., Inc. In addition, Ed Svec, Austin Powder Co., serves ex officio as a voting member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee as chairman of the Manufacturers and Services Division. The immediate past chairman and first vice chairman of the M&S Division also serve as voting members of the Board of Directors and non-voting members of the Executive Committee. Other non-voting slots on the Executive Committee are filled by standing division chairmen.

Speakers at the NSSGA convention included Peggy Noonan, former speechwriter to President Ronald Reagan and advisor to President George H. W. Bush and NBC news military and international affairs expert Col. Ken Allen, both sponsored by Martin Marietta Materials to enhance the pool of distinguished speakers available to NSSGA. Gerald L. Shaheen, a group president of Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, Ill., with responsibility for the design, development and production of Caterpillar's large construction and mining equipment, spoke at NSSGA's Honors Awards Breakfast in place of U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue who was unable to attend at the last minute. And, the NSSGA Board of Directors heard about the need for national highway legislation from New Jersey Department of Transportation chief Jack Lettiere, who also serves as president of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the nation's premier organization for setting transportation policy direction and transportation standards. Thousands of visitors stopped by NSSGA's main booth in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center to watch artist Carl Jara of Cleveland create a massive sand sculpture over the course of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show depicting NSSGA's convention theme: "A Voice on the Hill; A Partner in the Trenches." Click here to see the work-in-progress.

Industry Updates

• Jack B. Parson Companies, a division of Staker and Parson Companies, has received another national award for Environmental Excellence from National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). The company was award the Environmental Excellence Award for its West Haven, Utah and Salt Lake City ready mixed concrete plants. This marks the second national award in just two weeks. The company was recently a recipient of the Environmental Award from NRMCA for its Hot Mix Asphalt facility.
• Vulcan Materials Company, Birmingham, Ala., announced that its Mideast Division has been named the North Carolina Business Conservationist of the Year. The recognition is part of the Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards, the most prestigious environmental honors in the state. The awards are conferred jointly by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation, under a long-standing agreement with the governor's office. Vulcan's Mideast Division is headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C.
• Rogers Group, Inc., Nashville, Tenn., recently announced a series of personnel actions. Bill Carpenter has been promoted to vice president of Human Resources & Safety. Carpenter joined Rogers in 1999 as director of Staffing & Development. Alyson Robinson has been promoted to Director of Compensation and Benefits. Robinson joined the company in 2000 as compensation specialist after working at Promus Hotel Corporation. Todd Creasy has been promoted to director of Six Sigma Business Improvement. Creasy joined Rogers Group in 1999 as director of Compensation and Benefits. Assistant General Counsel Lauri Chaudoin has assumed the additional role of director of Public Relations and Communications for Rogers Group. In addition to filling the role of company spokesperson, Chaudoin will provide oversight for all aspects of public relations and communications. Chaudoin joined Rogers Group in 1999 as associate counsel and formerly worked for WSMV-TV in Nashville as an associate producer prior to attending Vanderbilt University School of Law.

Registration Opens for NSSGA Dredging Seminar

The NSSGA Dredging Seminar & Expo will be held in New Orleans, June 5-7, at the Hotel Intercontinental. This event focuses on many different aspects of dredging in the aggregates industry and provides a tremendous opportunity to learn the latest information about dredging aggregates. The event combines sessions for novices to the subject to learn the basics about dredging with other sessions that probe the newest technologies and methods used by those in the industry to extract materials more efficiently. Click here for information or to register on-line. Contact Steve Lenker or Shannon Grace for further details.

ESH Division Announces '05 Forum Details

NSSGA's Environment, Safety & Health Division will hold its perennial Environment, Safety & Health (ESH) Forum, Oct. 10-12 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

The ESH Forum is designed to focus on the major environmental and safety and health issues now facing the ever-evolving aggregates industry and its management and operating personnel. It is unique in that it is the only aggregates industry ESH event designed exclusively for aggregates industry ESH professionals, counsel, regulatory/risk managers, consultants, contractors and others. The Forum strives to provide in-depth information on current issues and regulatory happenings, training to better educate industry professionals, promote working relationships and networking opportunities with key industry professionals and regulatory officials from EPA, MSHA, NIOSH, OSHA, SBA and the U.S. Geological Survey. Participants will gain necessary background knowledge for developing action plans intended for implementation at the company and plant level to help meet the requirements and responsibilities in the environment, safety and health fields. A premium is placed on the creative as well as the tried and true, on practical solutions to knotty problems that can afford cost-effective bottom-line enhancing solutions to your company's compliance issues.

A highlight of the conference will be an awards luncheon where aggregate operations, companies and individuals will be recognized for outstanding ESH achievement. In addition, meetings will be held of the ESH Division leadership, Council of Counsel, Environmental Committee, Safety & Health Committee, and Safety & Health Committee task forces.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Oct. 10-12 to attend this one of a kind event!

Early Registration Deadline Approaches for Advanced Supervisory Training

It's Not Too Late to Register for Basic Sales In New Orleans

ICAR's 13th Symposium Offers Expanded Program for Broader Audience

NSSGA Kicks Off 2005 Summer Jobs Program

Welcome New Members