The legislative issues selected for BPW's 2005-2006 legislative platform are:
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Johanna's Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act (S 1172, HR 1245) - A bill to provide funds supporting the education of health care workers and the general public on the signs and symptoms of gynecological cancers. |
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The Healthy Families Act (S 932, HR 1902) - A bill requiring employers with more than 15 employees to provide their employees with 7 days of paid sick leave for their personal needs or to care for sick children or parents. |
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The Retirement Security for Life Act (S 381, HR 819) - A bill giving tax breaks for individuals willing to invest in annuities to support their retirement (permitting retirees to maintain their standard of living for a longer period of time). |
And the one thrown in at the last minute:
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A bill scheduled to be introduced (around Valentines Day) by Congresswomen from Michigan (Stabenow) and Wyoming (Cubin) that would provide funding for Heart Disease research on women. |
The BPW/Georgia delegation filled the day with meetings with Congressmen Nathan Deal and Senator Johnny Isakson, as well as meetings with the Legislative Assistants of Senator Saxby Chambliss and Congressmen Charles Norwood, Jack Kingston, Jim Marshall, David Scott, Phil Gingrey, Tom Price, Lynn Westmoreland, and John Linder. Those were just the scheduled meetings!
We popped in to leave information with at least 4 or 5 more Georgia Congressmen, visited with New Jersey Congressman Rob Andrews' Legislative Assistant for the ERA,, and had a hallway chat with Congresswoman Cubin from Wyoming about her upcoming bill for Women's Heart Disease research. Wow! That was ONE busy (and really FUN) day!
Day two of the conference was loaded with speakers and panel discussions built around the theme of Research and Education: How Changing Policies Can Impact the Workplace.