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About this Issue: President Bush Meets with AWB Leaders on His Washington Trip |
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Written On: November/December 2003 |
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It isn’t very often one organization is able to have as much representation with the President of the United States as the Association of Washington Business (AWB) had late this summer. In an unprecedented meeting with President Bush, four AWB leaders discussed ways to stimulate the economy, reduce unemployment and provide new jobs during the President’s most recent visit to the state.
Shortly after President Bush landed at Boeing Field, he joined Washington Congressmen Doc Hastings and George Nethercutt and Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn in a 45-minute meeting with the six state business leaders.
Among the six business leaders were AWB Chair Heidi Stanley, Chief Operating Officer, Sterling Savings Bank, Spokane; AWB President Don Brunell, Olympia; AWB Secretary-Treasurer-elect Creigh Agnew, Vice President, Weyerhaeuser, Federal Way; and John Rindlaub, Wells Fargo Bank CEO for Washington, Seattle.
The President indicated that while Washington is a beautiful state and an attractive place to live and raise a family, it has a bad rap when it comes to creating and maintaining jobs. He said one of the primary reasons for his trip and meeting with business leaders was to find a way to reduce unemployment and promote jobs. The President was keenly aware that our state continues to lead the nation in unemployment and in the loss of manufacturing jobs. Since July 2000, Washington lost one-in-five manufacturing jobs and that point was at the forefront of the President’s mind. He said he will do what he can in Washington, D.C., but leaders in our state must continue to work at the state and local levels to make Washington more competitive.
Collectively, the AWB contingency was able to cover a plethora of issues with President Bush, including: the Healthy Forests Initiative; Dam Breaching and Salmon Recovery; Energy; Natural Gas and Energy Supplies; Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform; Trade; Ergonomics; Health Care; Corporate Governance; Military Bases; Eastern Washington Farming; and Iraq.
“The opportunity to spend 45 minutes with President Bush was unique, unprecedented (at least for me) and rewarding,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “The President was well prepared and was an attentive listener.”
“He made us feel at ease immediately; spoke with conviction, clarity and authority,” Brunell continued. “While some will obviously disagree with him and his positions, there is no doubt in my mind, the President knows what he is doing, has a plan and cares deeply about America, our State of Washington and his fellow citizens.”
— Alexis Nepomuceno, Executive Editor
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