Greetings to all and best wishes for a successful 2007,

Mike Bass of Stevens International has informed us that Congressman Andrews will be re-introducing the Military Toy Replica Act as both a stand-alone bill as well as attempting to have it included as a part of the 2008 NDAA (the Department of Defense's annual authorizing bill).  The 2007 list of House and Senate Armed Services Committee members are being posted shortly.

Here is the House list ( t he Senate list will be forthcoming as soon as their web site is updated with the new members):
http://armedservices.house.gov/list_of_members.shtml

It appears that the tactics of the licensors has lightened just a bit for now, but it is assumed they are simply waiting to see whether Congress loses interest in this issue.  Therefore, our efforts need to continue, and Congressman Andrews remains committed to passing this legislation.  Here is what needs to be done by our  membership at this time in order to continue our quest to get this important piece of legislation passed:  

1)   From the list on the above web link, please call the Washington DC office(not your local office) of HASC members in your state.  You can click on their names to obtain the contact information from the members own web site.

2)   Ask for the aide in charge of military affairs.  Explain to that person who you are and that you are calling to garner support for the Military Toy Replica Act when it is reintroduced shortly by Congressman Andrews(there is no new Bill number yet assigned to it).  

3)   Explain briefly what the Act is, in case they do not know, and also explain in dire terms why you need this legislation passed.  Be sure to tell them that your business will suffer if it is NOT passed.

4)   Get the name and extension of the person to whom you are speaking, and ask them to contact you(or ask when you can contact them again) to confirm that the legislator you called will support us on this.

5)   Let it be known that they may contact the office of Congressman Rob Andrews(D-NJ) for additional information on this Act.

At the point your legislator has confirmed support, PLEASE be sure to let me or Mike Bass  know so  we  may confer with Andrews' office on this.  It is very important that Congressman  Andrews knows who is with him in this effort.

Any questions,  please call me at 973-283-9088 or Mike Bass at 856-435-1555.

Best regards,
Pat Koziol
Executive Director
HMA