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This week the highly heralded 112th Congress will be sworn in and is expected to get right to work. With almost 100 new Representatives and over a dozen new Senators, ABA is working hard to introduce itself and the baking industry to the new Congress.
Lest one think that because there are more business friendly policy makers in Washington the need to be actively engaged is diminished, I need to quash that now. While some of the more onerous initiatives - card check, cap and trade, and independent contractor reform - are on the back burner there is no lack of potentially costly agenda items for ABA. As U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue recently said, "If you are the first in the door you set the agenda, otherwise you are playing catch up." We are working hard to be first through the door on issues of importance to the industry.
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An excerpt: Index Funds are set to make new investments in the agricultural markets. Unfortunately, KC wheat, cocoa and sugar are three of the few ag commodities that appear set to see additional buying to balance the funds needs, although the actual amount of new money expected to come into the market is tough to determine. There are several retirement funds expected to put billions into the agricultural markets as an "inflation hedge" at this point in time. So far, commodity funds have done well over the last few months and many expect that be the same early this year, at a minimum. Index Fund activity will both support, if not jump-start, a rally in the next two weeks. To view the complete Analysis, click here.
For more information on "Eye on the Market," please contact ABA Senior Manager, Government Relations Cory Martin at cmartin@americanbakers.org or 202-789-0300. |
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ABA Welcomes 112th Congress  ABA's government relations team hit Capitol Hill today as members of the 112th Congress were sworn in. Issues to be debated early in the session include health care reform repeal, expansion of the U.S. debt ceiling, and government oversight of cost and public benefits of recent regulations and legislation enacted during the 111th Congress. To date, ABA has met 38 of the new members of Congress acquainting them with ABA and baking industry priorities. Picking up six Republican seats, the Senate has 53 Democrats and 47 Republicans. The House has an historic 96 members of its freshman class (63 Republican) for a total of 242 republicans and 193 democrats. |
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President Signs Food Safety Modernization Bill into Law  On Jan. 4, President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Bill into law. "This is a sound and balanced approach to food safety in the U.S.," said ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie. "It gives FDA needed tools to ensure consumers have confidence in our food by building on the industry's good manufacturing processes." ABA will continue its ongoing dialogue with food industry partners and key food safety officials at FDA and on Capitol Hill during the 112th Congress. "ABA and its partners will also continue to work together to improve food safety while not creating overly burdensome regulations. Another key issue during the 112th Congress will be limited resources available to implement the new law that is projected to cost $1.4 billion over the next five years," said ABA Senior Vice President Government Relations and Public Affairs Lee Sanders. |
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ABA Welcomes New Members
As ABA rings in the New Year, it welcomes the following new members in FY2011.
Bakers: Canada Bread Company/Maple Leaf Foods; Southwest Baking Company
Allieds: CDC Software; ECRM; Glanbia Nutritionals; Toolbox Software North America |
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GFF and California Dairy Council Sponsor Webinar
"Food Intolerances: How to Distinguish Between Fad and Reality." Learn about myths and misperceptions surrounding food intolerances and the continuum between intolerance, allergy and disease. The speakers and topics include:
- Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD: An expert in celiac disease, she will be moderating the webinar and help listeners translate the research presented into clinical practice.
- Julie Miller Jones, PhD, CNS, LN: Focus on gluten intolerance and discuss who really needs a gluten-free diet.
- Jeanette Keith, MD: A practicing gastroenterologist, her presentation will cover lactose intolerance and when a lactose-free diet is medically necessary.
The webinar is more timely now than ever as the industry continues to respond to the gluten-free movement and battle misperceptions. It will be held on Jan. 20, 2011 from 2-3:15 EST. Registration is free for the first 200.
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Allied Member in the Spotlight: Penske Truck Leasing
 Penske Truck Leasing is the leading provider of full-service truck leasing and contract maintenance services in North America.
www.penske.com
Sales Contact: Jim Molinaro | (610) 775-6000| E-mail Jim |
| What is ABA? Who does ABA represent?
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700
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The American Bakers Association (ABA) advocates on behalf of over 700 baking facilities and their suppliers.
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$70B | The baking industry generates more than $70 billion in economic activity annually.
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500,000 |
The baking industry employs close to half a million highly skilled people. |
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It was our pleasure to bring this message to you from the American Bakers Association. Please contact us if you have comments or suggestions.
If you would like to be removed from the ABA What's New e-mail sent to ABA members each week, please make your request to Margaret Collins or call 202-789-0300.
Have a great day!
ABA Membership & Communications Department
Karin Soyster Fitzgerald, CMP, CAE - Vice President, Membership Services
Kelly Kotche - Director, Membership and Communications
Margaret Collins - Membership Services & Web site Coordinator
American Bakers Association
1300 I Street, NW, Suite 700 West
Washington, DC 20005
202-789-0300 phone
202-898-1164 fax
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