2003 ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE SET FOR WASHINGTON, D. C. FROM SEPTEMBER 3-5, 2003!

All roads lead to our country’s Capitol as the National Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) invites it’s 2.7 million officers and members nationwide, fifteen (15) state chartered ARA affiliates including Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) to which our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter pays dues, active APWU national, state and Area Local/Local officers and members, Community Leaders, and families to attend the National ARA Legislative Conference from Wed., Sept. 3 thru Friday, Sept. 5, 2003.

It is a pleasure to invite all 2765 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, active APWU dues paying officers and members, and family members to attend this Conference to show our concern about strengthening Medicare, lowering prescription drug prices, and protecting Social Security in the years ahead.

The ARA National Conference will be held at the Hilton Washington and Towers, 1919 Connecticut Ave., Washington, D. C. 20009. Hotel reservations should be made by calling the Hilton directly toll-free at 1-888-324-4586. Be sure to ask for the discounted ARA rate of $139.00 a night plus taxes, if available. Check in time is 3 pm and check out time is 12 noon. Hotel parking is available at a discounted rate of $15.00 per night.

If you are interested in attending, the registration fee for the Legislative Conference is $90.00, then call National ARA toll-free at 1-888-373-6497. A gala banquet featuring noted journalist, Helen Thomas, the dean of former White House bureau chiefs and correspondents and currently a syndicated columnist, is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003 at 6 pm. Banquet tickets are $65.00 per person and should be ordered at the same time you register by calling the above ARA toll-free number. If you want to get involved in the action, go on the internet to www.retiredamericans.org to join us in the fight for justice.

You will participate in general sessions that will educate you on issues and help you to mobilize advocates and others to make a difference in the upcoming 2004 general elections. All nine (9) of the Presidential candidates have been invited to speak starting at 1 pm on Wed., Sept. 3. Hear from national labor and community leaders, elected officials, and those who seek to represent us in this nation’s highest offices about what they plan to do to strengthen Medicare, preserve Social Security, and provide lower prescription drug prices under Medicare.

Thursday, Sept. 4 is Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, and you will get to talk to your members of Congress about what they are doing with the Retiree and Union issues you care about most. The last Legislative Conference event will conclude by 3 pm on Friday, Sept. 5, 2003.

For your convenience, the Alliance has made arrangements for discount airfares for the upcoming National Legislative Conference with United Airlines and US Airways. To get these discounts, call United Airlines at 1-800-521-4041 with ID code: 515BF and US Airways at 1-877-874-7687 with Goldfile no.: 49642784.

Let your voice be heard, as the Bush Administration has proposed to radically restructure the U.S. Postal Service, your retirement, benefits, and livelihood, as well as privatize Medicare and Social Security. This is your chance to find out how the tax cut programs for the wealthy will result in enormous cuts in programs for seniors and drastically increase the National deficit. Find out what you, your family, and neighbors can do to help in our struggle to survive. We look forward to meeting with you and your family in Washington, D. C. on September 3-5, 2003!

FLARA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETS IN JACKSONVILLE ON SAT., SEPT. 13, 2003

It is a pleasure to invite all 2765 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, active APWU State and Area Local/Local dues paying officers and members, and family members to attend a Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) Executive Board meeting to be held at the Embassy Suites in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, September 13, 2003. These meetings are held quarterly in different locales around the State of Florida to discuss, plan, and vote on the real and important Retiree and Union issues that meet the vital domestic needs of our state’s older Americans. If you want to get in on the Action, go to www.flara.org website and surf the links. We look forward to seeing you and your family in Jacksonville on Sat., Sept. 13, 2003.

RETIREES LUNCHEON: FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, 2003 IN FORT WALTON BEACH

We invite all APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members, active APWU State and Area Local/Local officers and members, Auxiliary officers and members, and family members/guests to attend our Retirees Chapter luncheon (Dutch treat) on Friday, Sept. 19, 2003 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Radisson Beach Resort Restaurant, 1110 Santa Rosa Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, Fl. 32548. Room rates are $80.00 a night for single/double, plus 10% taxes. Check in is 4 pm and check out is 11 am. To make reservations, call the Radisson Beach Resort at 850-243-9181 and ask for the APWU discounted rate.

We will have an invited mystery guest speaker at the luncheon celebration and Retiree Happy folders will be given out to all in attendance. This is a great opportunity for everyone to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends. Join us in the fun of being APWU alive!

Thanks to Gregory Dixon, Webmaster, for his help in creating an APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter link on our own state website www.apwuflorida.org and to President Martha Shunn-King for suggesting the idea to me. It is a great way to give Retiree information and links we have used to counsel active and retired APWU members in the last couple years.

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO