Alexandria, VA (October 3, 2002) – The Printing Industries of America, (PIA), a trade association that represents over 13,000 printers in the manufacturing sector, urges immediate confirmation of Bruce James to become Public Printer of the United States. Benjamin Y. Cooper, Executive Vice-President of Public Affairs, representing both PIA and Bruce James, testified before the Senate Rules and Administration. The Public Printer is the official title of the head of the Government Printing Office (GPO). The agency is unique in that the Public Printer is nominated by the President, must be confirmed by the Senate, and when confirmed becomes an employee of Congress. "Bruce James is representative of the characteristics that exemplify the members of our industry – a strong family man, a successful entrepreneur, a man of ideas and actions and a natural leader," Benjamin Y. Cooper. "The one characteristic that has typified PIA’s relationship with Bruce is commitment - if he commits to doing something it will be done. Bruce has always shown a deep ongoing commitment to intellectual advancement and he brings with him a great knowledge of the needs and concerns of the printing industry." The GPO’s share of federal printing has declined in recent years particularly among the Executive Branch due to agencies bypassing the legal requirement that the GPO provide such printing services. One possible reason for the GPO’s decline in use could be in part that agency has not established itself as a leader in electronic communications. "We are hopeful that Bruce James, with his broad understanding of the industry, will be able to demonstrate to government customers what the private sector already knows - the printing industry is in the information business and print is still the way most people get their information and PIA would like give it’s full endorsement of his confirmation," Cooper added.