House Financial Services Committee Chairman Spencer Bachus Named Big “I” Legislator of the Year

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) named U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) as the Gerald Solomon-IIABA Legislator of the Year for 2011. In his address to the group, Rep. Bachus discussed numerous issues that impact the small business community, consumers and the independent agency system including unemployment, health care reform, tax reform and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Rep. Bachus discussed the importance of supporting small business so they can create more jobs. “Two-thirds of the jobs created in America are created by small businesses,” said Rep. Bachus. “Our taxes are too complex. We’ve got to simplify our tax system,” said Rep. Bachus in pointing out discrepancies in the tax code. “People make decisions based on tax decisions not what they want to do.” Many legislative issues pending in Congress are tied up in the process and, should they be allowed to move forward, would help alleviate unemployment, said Rep. Bachus. In discussing the importance of the NFIP, Rep. Bachus called it a “jobs bill” and said that lack of action is “mucking up our economy” since reauthorization of the program is needed to provide certainty to homebuyers, real estate professionals and insurance. “It’s not a controversial bill. It has bipartisan support, yet we can’t get the Senate to act on it.” The award was presented yesterday during the annual Leadership Luncheon, just prior to the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. The Legislator of the Year Award is bestowed annually by the Big “I” upon a member of Congress who has provided outstanding leadership on insurance issues. It is named as a tribute to the late Congressman Gerald Solomon (R-N.Y.), the former House Rules Committee chairman

and Big “I” member who championed independent agent and broker legislative concerns during his 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Bachus served in Congress with the award’s namesake and called his former colleague “an exceptional individual.” Bachus is currently serving his tenth term representing the Sixth Congressional District of Alabama in the central part of the state. He is the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, which holds jurisdiction over the banking, securities, insurance, housing, and domestic and international monetary policy sectors. “Rep. Spencer Bachus is the epitome of a conscientious member of Congress, he’s a thoughtful Chairman and a true legislator’s legislator,” said Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, in presenting the award. Rusbuldt praised the chairman’s effort to protect small business and support efforts that promote fiscal responsibility and job growth. “Chairman Bachus has a long track record of standing up for small business, including independent agents in Alabama and across the country,” said Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of government affairs. “He has played a leadership role on a host of issues that impact small businesses like many Big ‘I’ members and their clients. Just a few of the issues where we have had his support include: the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), financial services regulatory reform and agent licensing reform. We want to thank him for his leadership before Congress and in Alabama as a steward of taxpayer dollars and Main Street America.”