ACEC Presses Congress to Complete WRDA in 2006; Member Action Needed ACEC is making a strong push to secure passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) before Congress adjourns for the year. House and Senate leaders indicated prior to Election Day that final completion of WRDA would be a priority when Congress returned this month. There are concerns, however, that Congress could abandon this commitment, prompting ACEC, the National Waterways Conference, and other industry organizations to launch a final grassroots push. ACEC members are urged to send letters to their House and Senate lawmakers asking them to complete WRDA before adjournment. Members are advised to FAX letters to congressional offices—click here for a sample letter to the House, and click here for a sample letter to the Senate. Click here for contact information for the House, and click here for contact information for the Senate. WRDA is among a number of items that may be addressed during the "lame-duck" congressional session that got underway this week. This legislation authorizes funding for Army Corps of Engineers flood control, navigation and environmental restoration projects that are critical to sustaining the nation's waterway transportation system and are important to the many ACEC member firms that focus on water resources. WRDA is traditionally reauthorized on a biannual cycle, but has not been reauthorized since 2000. The House passed a $10 billion WRDA bill (H.R. 2864) last year, and the Senate passed its $12 billion version (S. 728) in late July. For more information, contact David Kunz, director of Environmental and Energy Programs, at dkunz@acec.org.

Leadership Battles Underway in Congress; ACEC To Build "ACEC Majority" New Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will take over as respective Democrat and Republican leaders in the new Senate in 2007, while a more contentious leadership fight is underway in the House. As expected, House Democrats voted overwhelmingly for Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as the new House Speaker, the first woman in history to hold the post. In a more heated contest, a divided Democrat caucus chose Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) as their new Majority Leader. Hoyer fought off a strong challenge from Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), a senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and close ally of Speaker-elect Pelosi. Hoyer was the favored choice of the block of moderate, pro-business Democrats, and his win may be an indication of a desire on the part of House Democrats to move the party to the political center. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) took the third ranking position of Majority Whip, whose job it is to organize House Democrats and build support for the party's major legislative priorities. House Republicans met today, where they voted overwhelmingly to elevate Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) to the post of Minority Leader. The current House Speaker, Rep. Denny Hastert (R-IL), had announced previously that he would not run for a leadership post. In another closely watched contest, Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO) edged out a strong challenge from Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) for the second ranking post of Minority Whip. "We have good relationships with the new leaders on both sides of the aisle," said ACEC President Dave Raymond. "There's no question that we're looking at some challenges in 2007, but we also think we can build an "ACEC majority" that will enable us to move some industry priorities forward."

ACEC/PAC Wins 86 Percent on Election Day ACEC/Delaware leaders at a fundraiser for Democratic Senator Tom Carper from left to right: Tim Anderson, vice president; Senator Carper; Ted Williams, national director; and Dave Charles, representing Jeff Bross, chairman. The Council produced a strong overall winning record in the recent elections that will aid in advocacy efforts in the new year. Of the candidates supported by ACEC/PAC, 86 percent either won their re-election bids or prevailed in open seat contests. Rep.-elect Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Rep.-elect Adrian Smith (R-NE) are two of the new faces that will serve in the House next year. Both received the backing of ACEC/PAC and ACEC members in their respective states. In addition, many incumbents supported by the industry, including Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) will be returning to leadership positions in the new majority. "While there were some disappointing outcomes, we clearly invested our political dollars wisely, which we expect will pay dividends next year as we work with pro-business Democrats and Republicans," said ACEC/PAC Chairman Craig Avery of Fuller, Mossbacker, Scott and May Engineers in Kentucky.

New Digital Engineering Inc. Now Available To Subscribers By now, all Last Word recipients should have received by email the new digital Engineering Inc. If you have not yet received the new electronic version of ACEC's award-winning magazine, just click here. All employees of ACEC member firms are eligible to receive the magazine as a benefit of membership. Those who normally receive the printed issue of Engineering Inc. will continue to do so. Readers of the new digital magazine will find easy navigation throughout the publication, including the latest innovative media technology such as page turning, hyperlinks, email links, word and topic searches. For further information about receiving the new digital Engineering Inc., contact Mary Ann Emely at 202-682-4300 or memely@acec.org.

Save The Date And Plan To Attend! ACEC's 2007 Annual Convention & Legislative Summit May 6-9, 2007 The Grand Hyatt Hotel Washington, D.C. This is the most comprehensive advocacy and education event in the industry! Register now by clicking here. For questions, contact meetings@acec.org.

Time is Running Out To Register For Adaptive Leadership Program For A/E/C Professionals December 6-8                   Miami, FL Adaptive Leadership Strategies: A Forum for A/E/C Professionals is a unique focus-on-the-future summit designed to help company leaders succeed in a changing marketplace. This highly-charged two-and-a-half-day seminar will prepare participants to handle the next one-, three-, and 10-year cycles. Registration Fees: Members $995/non-member $1,195 Click here for more information and to register.

Registration Now Open For March '07 Business of Design Consulting March 7-10                   Portland, Oregon Sharpen business practice knowledge and compete more successfully in 2007 by attending ACEC's four-day Business of Design Consulting, March 7-10, 2007 in Portland, Oregon. The seminar offers essential business topics specific to the A/E/C work environment and real-world technical examples not typically taught in engineering schools. Click here for more information and to register.

Upcoming Online Seminars November 28 Your Human Resource Toolkit for Success Barbara H. Irwin, HR AdvisorsGroup LLC Whether you are an organization of 15 or 500, there are certain HR practices, procedures and systems that must be in place. This presentation offers HR best practices and focuses on tough compliance issues that organizations face today. Click here for more information and to register. November 29 Creating Public Relations Pizzazz: How to Have More Power and Influence Joanne G. Linowes, Linowes Executive Development International This session blends techniques in persuasion, publicity, and promotion to provide skills in writing and presenting with influence. Click here for more information and to register.

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