IBEW 1245 and NARA Retirees Attend Annual Legislative Conference

Members of the Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans (NARA) attended the Alliance for Retired Americans Legislative Conference in Washington DC July 7th-10th.

Thursday July 9th was the Congressional Lobby Day. This is the first year that NARA visited every Nevada Congressman and Woman representing Nevada. NARA President and Local 1245 retiree Tom Bird lead groups of members to every office.

Back row: NARA Pres. Tom Bird, Madelyn Bird, Sue Bird, Laura Leavitt of AFSCME, NARA VP Rita Weisshaar, Ben Weisshaar, Ray Tenant, Rev. Kenneth Baker. Seated: Congresswoman Dina Titus and Correan Baker, AFSCME Sub Chapter #153 President.

“It was a mad rush maneuvering the underground system and running from one building and floor to another,” Bird noted, “but we had an important message to tell Congress.”

Bird and his fellow retirees told the members of Congress that they were concerned about the bickering, calling on them to get down to business and do the job they were elected to do — serving the people of Nevada. The retirees also urged Congress to enhance Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and support our Vets. They left copies of the Social Security Works book at offices along with packets of cards signed by Medicare supporters who attended NARA’s two recent Retirement Forums.

Tom Bird and Rita Weisshaar with IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson in his new Local 1245 Retirees hat)

During the conference, Carolyn Williams, IBEW International Civic and Community Director, arranged a breakfast meeting between the IBEW leadership who attended the Conference with the International’s Chief Lobbyist and IBEW International Communications Specialist Len Shindel.

Bird and fellow IBEW 1245 retiree Rita Weisshaar, who serves as VIce President of NARA, also had the opportunity to tour IBEW International Headquarters after the conference was over. The highlight of the tour was spending time with new International IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson. Bird presented President Stephenson with the first cap in his collection as President. The Cap represents the IBEW 1245 Retirees.