Please thank our 2006 CSAA Electronic Security Forum & Exposition Sponsors: ADI (Thursday Opening Social Event Beverages); Altronix (Thursday CSAA Board of Directors Luncheon); Bosch Security Systems (Thursday CSAA Board, Sponsors & Exhibitors Dinner); DICE Corporation (Saturday Continental Breakfast); Digital Security Controls (Sunday Continental Breakfast); DMP (Saturday Afternoon Coffee Break and hotel keycards); FireLite (Friday Spouses/Guests Hospitality); GE Security (Happy Hour at the Exhibit Hall); HID Corp. (Luncheon at the Exhibit Hall); Honeywell Security (Sunday CSAA Excellence Awards luncheon); Innovative Business Software (Saturday Morning Coffee Break); LaSalle Bank (Friday Afternoon Coffee Break); Micro Key Software (Opening Reception Food (partial)); NAPCO Security Group (Friday Continental Breakfast); Security Industry Association (Forum Sponsor); and System Sensor (Friday morning Coffee Break and Saturday Spouses/Guests Hospitality).
Table of Contents
Please Contact House and Senate Members Immediately
Alarm Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Consumer Notification Issue
Background and Update
As a result of numerous meetings by the leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee [Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Ranking Democrat John Dingell (D-MI), and the ranking Democrat on the Telecommunications Subcommittee Ed Markey (D-MA)], significant progress has been made on what will be included in the Committee's telecommunications bill this year.
At this point, they have agreed to address both cable television franchising and VoIP 911 services. Assuming the schedule stays on track, they will be putting together a bill between now and the March 20 - 26 recess. If things go well, they could bring the bill up for consideration in the Telecommunications Subcommittee before the recess, but it is more likely they will consider the bill when they come back the week of March 27.
As you know, in early February, about thirty members of the alarm industry came to Washington and spoke with over 40 of their representatives, most of whom sit on either the House or Senate Commerce Committees which have jurisdiction over telecommunications issues. While that effort was a great success, just like in business, making the follow up call often is the difference between whether or not you make the sale.
What is Needed?
ACTION IS REQUIRED NOW!!!!
Now is the time to act. It is critical that over the next three weeks, you repeatedly call your Member of the House of Representatives and urge them to call the Committee leadership, asking that the alarm VoIP consumer notification provisions be included in the Telecommunications Subcommittee bill that is currently being drafted. Let them know that you would appreciate hearing if they have spoken to the Committee leadership. Call back every week until you get an affirmative answer. Remember, you are a constituent, and if they want to protect the life, health, safety and property of their constituents, there is no reason why they can't make a call on your behalf.
IF YOU WERE NOT HERE ON FEBRUARY 8, YOU STILL SHOULD CALL.
Even if you did not make our Hill Walk on February 8, you still can contact your Member of Congress and ask for his/her help in contacting the Energy and Commerce Committee leadership about having our alarm VoIP consumer notification provisions be included in the Telecommunications Subcommittee draft bill.
Who Should be Contacted?
The key House Energy and Commerce leaders who need to be contacted are:
REPUBLICANS:
- Joe Barton (R-TX) Chairman of the full Energy and Commerce Committee
- Fred Upton (R-MI) Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Telecommunications Subcommittee
- Cliff Stearns (R-FL) Vice Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Telecommunications Subcommittee and our champion on the VoIP issue
DEMOCRATS:
- John Dingell (D-MI) Ranking Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee
- Ed Markey (D-MA) Ranking Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Telecommunications Subcommittee
- Ed Towns (D-NY) our Democratic champion on the VoIP issue
Click here to access their contact information.
Supporting Documents
- VoIP Briefing Paper: Attached is a briefing letter on the VoIP issue which you can send to your representative. The language is slightly changed from what we handed out on February 8 to include "personal emergency response systems," better-known as emergency health alerts - members and staff respond well to that issue.
Sunset of Analog Cellular AMPS Requirement
You are also urged to contact your Congressman and Senators asking that they send a letter to the FCC requesting that the current February 18, 2008 sunset on requiring cellular providers to support AMPS service be extended for two years. The FCC has retained the authority to extend this deadline for up to 5 years. Thus, our two year request is not unreasonable.
Enclosed are:
Showcase your Company at our Mid-Year Meeting
CSAA represents many of the best respected companies in the electronic security industry. But unfortunately, we rarely get a glimpse inside those companies--at the people and the things that makes them shine within their regional markets.
Take this opportunity to showcase your company in an audio visual presentation to be unveiled at the CSAA’s Mid-Year meeting scheduled to be presented during CSAA Forum.
Show your colleagues what drives your company’s unique personality and its success by sending us photos that typify your company "at work, at play and in the community.”
To participate in this project, download a fact sheet indicating the kind of shots, photographic requirements, etc. Please send your photos no later than March 27, 2006.
