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JA's Political Action Committee expands board

Aims to raise funds for legislators sympathetic to jewelry industry causes

April 16, 2009

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New York--The Jewelers of America Political Action Committee (JAPAC) has expanded its board of directors and embarked on a two-year drive to raise funds from JA members.

The committee contributes funds to the political campaigns of legislators sympathetic to the jewelry industry's causes, and the expansion of the board to 11 members reflects the committee's added commitment to fundraising.

Newly appointed board members include Artie Bennos of Simms II Jewelers in Winchester, Mass.; Scot Congress of Congress Jewelers in Sanibel Island, Fla.; Jeffrey Corey of Days Jewelers in Waterville, Maine; Peter Engel of Fred Meyer Jewelers in Portland, Ore.; John Hayes of Goodman's Jewelers in Madison, Wis.; Woody Justice of Justice Jewelers in Springfield, Mo; and Carolyn Pope of Crews Jewelry in Grandview, Mo.

William Farmer of Farmer's Jewelers in Lexington, Ky., has been reappointed to a second term as chair of JAPAC's board, and joining him as returning board members are Jon Bridge of Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle; Barbara Hight-Randall of Hight and Randall Ltd. in Rochester, Minn.; and JA President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Runci, who serves as JAPAC treasurer.

"Jewelers of America is grateful for the work of the JAPAC board in raising funds to contribute to the campaigns of legislators who support the association's goals," Runci said in a media release. "As Congress grapples with major changes to the tax code that could impact both jewelers and the consumers who buy jewelry products, JAPAC is needed more than ever."

Runci said in the release that already this year, JA has had to contend with threats such as luxury tax proposals on the state level and the introduction of a possible national repeal of the last-in, first-out, or LIFO, inventory accounting method. In addition, the committee is pushing for a re-introduction of sales tax fairness legislation so that both Internet sellers and Main Street retailers be required to collect sales tax.

"Each of these efforts requires the jewelry industry to present its case before legislators who are being approached by countless industry groups looking for attention," Runci said. "JAPAC gives jewelers a voice in Washington and an opportunity to get on to the radar screens of legislators."
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