La.’s Baker Named Big ‘I’ Legislator of the Year

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America bestowed upon Rep. Richard Baker of Louisiana the prestigious Gerald Solomon-IIABA Legislator of the Year Award for 2004.

Baker, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises, received the honor for his leadership on terrorism insurance and his central role in developing the State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency (SMART) Act with Financial Services Chairman Mike Oxley (R-Ohio). Oxley is a past recipient of the award.

The presentation occurred at the 29th annual Big “I” National Legislative Conference, which is taking place in the nation’s capital. The award was presented by Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt, with leaders of the Independent Insurance Agents of Louisiana.

Chairman Baker, a Republican, has been a longtime supporter of independent insurance agents and brokers, and the Big “I” strongly supports the SMART Act, which would use federal legislative tools to create greater interstate uniformity and efficiency, without creating a new federal regulator. The developing legislation is similar to a middle-ground solution first advocated by the Big “I” nearly four years ago.

“We are very pleased to present the Legislator of the Year Award to Chairman Baker, a true friend to independent insurance agents and brokers,” Rusbuldt said. “He is a visionary on insurance issues, as demonstrated by his work with Chairman Oxley on the SMART Act. He understands independent agents and the challenges and hurdles they face every day, and he is trying to address these issues. He is most deserving of this award.”

“Chairman Baker’s efforts with Chairman Oxley in developing the SMART Act, which we strongly support, have been highly noteworthy and valuable,” said Charles E. Symington Jr., Big “I” senior vice president of government affairs and federal relations. We hail his efforts and pledge to work with Chairmen Baker and Oxley to move this important legislation down the field.”

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