2009 Archives
Regional Chambers Unite to Take Issues to the Nation's Capital and Meet with Legislators
HARRISBURG (October 8, 2009) -- Representatives of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the York County Chamber of Commerce visited Washington D.C. on Wednesday, October 7, 2009. During their visit, they met with United States Representatives Tim Holden (D-17th District), Bill Shuster (R-9th District) Todd Platts (R-19th District), and Gabe Newville-Joseph Pitts Chief of Staff (R-16th), United States Senator Arlen Specter and members of Bob Casey Jr.'s staff, and the United States Chamber's staff.
"I am always happy to meet with members from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce and the York County Chamber of Commerce, and I appreciate their ongoing efforts to spur economic growth in Central Pennsylvania," said Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA). "The meeting was valuable for me to hear directly from the business community regarding their priorities and concerns with federal legislation."
Each year the Chambers visit our legislators in Washington D.C. to share and discuss issues that are impacting South Central Pennsylvania and promote regionalism through a collaborative effort. Members of the Chambers are given the opportunity to communicate directly with each legislator and their staff which allows their voice to be heard and relationships built.
During the course of the visit, the Chambers advocated for appropriate and affordable Health Care reform, issues regarding Transportation and Infrastructure, reiterated the business community's opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act (Card Check), and expressed concerns over legislation that would create the Consumer Financial Protection Agency.
"Since we started this several years ago Senator Specter has managed to meet with us in person each year as has Congressmen Holden and Platts," said David Black, President & CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC. He added, "This was the first year we invited Congressman Shuster who represents Western Cumberland and Perry Counties. The personal interaction at the Capitol between our Senator and Representatives helps to build strong working relationships along with the ability to focus directly on issues of mutual concern. We sincerely appreciate their time, their candor and their clearly bi-partisan efforts on behalf our region."
The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC serves as a catalyst for promoting growth and quality of life in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties by providing a unique blend of business, community and economic development and advocacy services under one roof to boost our economic vitality and livability as a region. Over the past 8 years, the Chamber & CREDC has provided assistance that has created over $250M in economic impact and created or retained over 11,000 jobs. HRC/CREDC has been accredited with four stars from the United States Chamber of Commerce.
