The Associated Equipment Distributors and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers last week launched an effort to get U.S. House and Senate candidates from across the country to commit to making surface transportation and water infrastructure investment a top priority in the next Congress.
The Infrastructure Campaign Pledge is part of the Start Us Up USA! national grassroots campaign led by AED and AEM. In the past year, the Start Us Up USA! campaign has coordinated five rallies and caravans of "idle equipment" in major cities. The rallies highlighted the dire economic conditions in the equipment industry and the need for sustained and substantial investment to address the nation's highway and water infrastructure needs.
Start Us Up USA! will send the Infrastructure Campaign Pledge to every candidate for the U.S. House and Senate. The pledge gives them the opportunity, if elected, to publicly commit to supporting robust federal investment in surface transportation and water infrastructure programs. Such programs would create jobs, spur economic growth, ensure the country's global competitiveness, protect public safety and the environment, and create a better quality of life for every American.
"The next Congress must lay a solid foundation for America's growth and economic future, while creating a cleaner environment and a better quality of life for all,” said AED president and CEO Toby Mack. “Support for America's infrastructure not only brings a bounty of long-term rewards, but yields immediate benefit by jump-starting a struggling economy and creating much needed jobs."
"The pledge communicates to candidates that we need action now on building needed infrastructure and boosting job creation,” said AEM president Dennis Slater. “Candidates for the 112th Congress must take the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to building America's future by signing the pledge. Those seeking to serve through higher office must lead the way in securing sorely needed investments for our roads, bridges, and water systems."
For a complete list of current signatories and more information about the pledge, visit http://www.startusupusa.com/campaign_pledge.cfm
For more information on the Start Us Up USA!, visit www.startusupusa.com
AED is an international trade association representing companies involved in the distribution, rental and support of equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, power generation, agriculture and industrial applications.
AEM is a trade association that provides services on a global basis for companies that manufacture equipment, products and services used worldwide in the Agriculture, Construction, Forestry, Mining and Utility industries.
