COLUMBUS, Ohio -- August 21, 2002 -- Hopkins Printing, a Columbus-based commercial printing firm, will host the first of three forums in the state with U.S. Representatives that will discuss environmental, health care and postal cost issues (among others) on Wednesday, August 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2246 City Gate Drive. The event, organized by Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Northern Kentucky and Ohio (PIANKO), will bring together Columbus printing leaders along with U.S. representatives from Rep. David Hobson, Rep. Deborah Pryce and Rep. Pat Tiberi’s offices. "The printing industry is the third largest manufacturing business in the state, and it’s imperative that government officials understand our issues so we can maintain our businesses," said Jim Hopkins, president and co-founder of Hopkins Printing. The forum will serve as a platform to make legislators aware of the printing industry’s concerns and allow the printers to share suggestions on how each party can work to benefit one another. There will be similar forums in Cleveland and Cincinnati later this month. The meeting facilitator will be the Executive Vice President of Printing Industries of America, Inc. (PIA), Ben Cooper. "The function of government relations is a core priority of PIA," Cooper said. "We believe it’s critically important for our printers to be involved in the political process." Printing is the third largest manufacturing industry in Ohio shipping almost $7 billion in product in 2001. Hopkins Printing, a full-service commercial sheet-fed printing company, has been serving the needs of businesses in Central Ohio for more than 25 years. Printing Industries Association, Inc. serving northern Kentucky and Ohio (PIANKO) serves more than 500 commercial printing companies and suppliers to the industry in its service area. With headquarters in Westerville, Ohio, the association also operates offices in Broadview Heights and Cincinnati. PIANKO is an affiliate of the national Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, the largest graphic arts association in the world. To learn more about PIANKO, visit www.pianko.org.