"Mergers and acquisitions within the industry and the prospect of continued integration of financial services are creating a new world for the insurance industry," said Ken Crerar, CIAB president. "Through our alliance, our three organizations present speak as a united front on key issues affecting our members."

Summit activities include meetings with key policymakers in the Congress and White House. The Summit's seeks to educate members of Congress about key issues affecting the industry, and to demonstrate how such issues effect job creation and economic growth in districts, states, and across the nation.

On Tuesday morning, Summit participants will conduct congressional office visits to House and Senate leaders. At noon, the Summit will convene for a Keynote Luncheon at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Briefing Center. Confirmed keynoters are Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Representative John Boehner (R-OH). Press is invited to attend the luncheon.

Following the Keynote Luncheon from 3:00 - 3:50 p.m., Legislative Summit participants will travel to the White House for a special briefing on Bush Administration initiatives from Paul O'Neil, Secretary, United States Department of the Treasury; Nicholas E. Calio, assistant to the President & director of legislative affairs, and Lawrence B. Lindsey, Assistant to the president for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council. The White House Briefing is closed to the press.

Tentatively at 4:45 p.m., Summit participants will reconvene on Capitol Hill to hear remarks from Congressman Mike Oxley (R-OH), Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services.

A Congressional Reception at the Cannon House Office Building honoring of the members of the 107th Congress of the United States will be held at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., concluding official Summit activities.

"The more policymakers understand the unique relationships and functioning of the commercial insurance market, the more likely they are to enact laws and regulations that enhance the business climate, contributing to national growth and business opportunities," Crerar said.

Since 1913, The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers has provided industry leadership while representing the largest, most productive and most profitable commercial insurance agencies and brokerage firms in the U.S., and around the globe. Council members in over 3,000 locations place nearly 80% -- well over $90 billion -- of the U.S. commercial property/casualty premiums. The CIAB website is www.ciab.com

The American Insurance Association is a trade association representing more than 370 major insurance companies which provide all lines of property and casualty insurance and write more than $60 billion in annual premium. AIA headquarters is located in Washington, D.C. and the association has representatives in every state.

The Reinsurance Association of America is a Washington-based trade association representing 25 U.S. property and casualty reinsurers. RAA members write 80 percent of the reinsurance coverage provided by U.S. reinsurance companies or affiliates.

The Commercial Insurance

Legislative Summit

March 13, 2001 * The Westin Grand Hotel * Washington, DC

Tuesday, March 13, 2001

9:00 - 11:30 am Congressional Office Visits Capitol Hill

Noon - 2:00 pm Keynote Luncheon U.S. Chamber of Commerce

1615 H Street, Briefing Center Room

Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)

US Representative John Boehner (R-OH)

3:00 - 4:00 pm White House Briefing Old Executive Office Building

(closed to the press)

Paul O'Neil, Secretary, United States Treasury

Lawrence Lindsey, Assistant to the President

for Economic Policy

Nicholas E. Calio, Asst. to the President & Director

of Legislative Affairs

4:45 - 5:30 pm Michael Oxley (R-OH) Cannon House Office Building

(tentative) Small Business Committee Room, 311

5:30 - 7:30 pm Congressional Reception: Cannon Caucus Room

Honoring the 107th Congress. Arthur H. Johnson