The Board of Directors of the Printing and Imaging Association of New York State, Inc. (PIA of NYS) recently concluded a successful campaign to support PrintPAC. PrintPAC is the United States printing industry’s political advocacy arm that works to elect pro-printing industry lawmakers to Congress – and keep them there. The PIA of NYS initiative requested a PrintPAC donation from 100% of the PIA of NYS Board of Directors. This program was announced last June and concluded in December 2005 with the receipt of the final donation which represented the full 100% of the Board of Directors. In total, 34 individuals made a personal donation to PrintPAC, raising $4,530.00 that will be used to support pro-print United States Congressional candidates. A check presentation ceremony was held on Thursday, March 23, 2006 at the PIA of NYS Printing Awards Banquet, held at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in Buffalo, NY. Participating in this ceremony were Michael Makin, President and CEO of Printing Industries of America/ Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) and Stephen Zenger, President of The Zenger Group, a Buffalo area printing firm and Vice Chairman of the PIA of NYS. Members of the PIA of New York State Board who participated in the ceremony (who are also PrintPAC supporters) included Deborah Abgott, Buffalo Newspress; John Evans, Sterling Sommer, Inc.; Timothy Bubar, Boncraft Printing Group; James Bubar, Boncraft Printing Group; Douglas Bolling, xpedx; Jerry Hace, Gooding Co. Inc.; and Tim Freeman, President, PIA of New York State. PIA/GATF provides management and administrative services to PrintPAC. In accepting the PIA of NYS PrintPAC donation, Mr. Makin said, “PIA of NYS is to be commended for its leadership in becoming the first state affiliate to provide 100 percent board support for PrintPAC. By doing so New York State printers will help PIA support legislators who are pro-business and allies of America’s $165 billion printing industry.” In making the donation, PIA of NYS Vice Chairman Stephen Zenger said, “PrintPAC is an important component of our industry’s ongoing efforts to communicate our position on key legislative issues to our Congressional representatives. It is only through the efforts of PrintPAC and our industry’s grassroots voice that the message of our economic presence and job growth will be heard in Washington.” PIA/GATF is the world’s largest graphic arts trade association representing an industry with more than 1.2 million employees. It serves the interests of more than 12,000 member companies. PIA/GATF, along with its affiliates, delivers products and services that enhance the growth, efficiency, and profitability of its members and the industry through advocacy, education, research, and technical information. PIA/GATF contact information: Michael Makin, President and CEO, PIA/GATF, 200 Deer Run Road, Sewickley, PA 15143, (800) 910-4283, [email protected], www.gain.net. PIA of NYS is a printing trade organization, headquartered in Amherst, New York and serving the interests of the graphic communications industry in upstate New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. PIA of NYS provides a variety of management consultative advocacy and expense reducing services to its membership. PIA of NYS contact information: Tim Freeman, President, PIA of New York State, 636 North French Road, Suite 1, Amherst, NY 14228, (716) 691-3211, [email protected]. - www.printnys.org For additional information about PrintPAC or to participate, contact Lisbeth Lyons, PIA/GATF Vice President for Government Affairs at (703) 519-8100 or visit the Graphic Arts Information Network at www.gain.net.