NMMA asks for help with bill

swadminApril 25, 2006

CHICAGO – The National Marine Manufacturers Association has issued an Action Alert calling for help in contacting Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to request that he schedule floor time for the Water Resources Development Act.

WRDA is a bill that authorizes national water resources projects such as ports, beach renourishment, water supply facilities, locks and damns, especially along the Upper Mississippi River, environmental restoration and flood control – including several projects desperately needed for the rebuilding of New Orleans and the Gulf – according to NMMA.

The bill also will help wetlands restoration efforts in the Florida Everglades and along Coastal Louisiana, and also provide for Army Corps of Engineers recreation sites frequented by families and boaters.

NMMA asks that people call Sen. Frist April 26, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and urge him to bring the WRDA before the Senate for consideration.

NMMA asks that anyone wishing to participate do the following:

Dial (202) 224-3121 (the U.S. Capitol Switchboard) or (202) 224-3135 (the office of the Majority Leader, Senator Bill Frist).

State your name and where you are from.

Say something like: “Water Resources (boating recreation areas, ports or locks & dams, beach renourishment, or the environment) are crucial to the lives of everyday Americans. (Feel free to offer info on why it is important to you.) We can’t afford to wait any longer for passage of WRDA. I would like to urge Sen. Frist to schedule floor time for the Water Resources Development Act of 2006 before the Memorial Day recess. If you would like to reach me for further information, you can contact me at (phone number or e-mail address.)”

Constituents can also reach their members of Congress by fax or email at www.nmma.org/grassroots and sign-up for alerts to stay informed on this matter.

NMMA asks that anyone who does contact his or her elected representative let Jeff Gabriel (jgabriel@nmma.org; 202-737-9756) know so NMMA can follow up and urge the Congress to consider WRDA.