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Dear ALATA Membership,

As promised in my address to the membership in mid-March I told you all that I would keep you all informed in regards to the current legislative activities regarding our profession.  We have introduced legislation in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.  Senator Rodger Smitherman is the sponsor of the bill in the Senate and Representative Locy Baker is the sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives.  Both SB 486 and HB 703 have been placed in respective committees.  In the Senate the bill has been placed in the Tourism and Marketing Committee.  In the House of Representatives the bill has been placed in the Health Committee.

We did visit Montgomery last week to attempt to educate our lawmakers of the importance and value of athletic trainers as well as gain their support for our legislation.  Accompanying us on this visit was former Auburn University Head Coach, Pat Dye, UAB Head Football Coach Neil Callaway, and former University of Alabama football player Siran Stacy.  I am pleased to say that this was one of our best visits to Montgomery.  Having these personalities present made a tremendous impact on our legislators and they were great advocates for our profession.

With this being said we were called for a Senate Committee Hearing on yesterday, April 1st and despite opposing arguments that was presented I feel encouraged and hope that the day’s events will bring us closer to our goal.  This is where you as practicing certified athletic trainers in the state can help.  We need everyone to write letters of support to the Tourism and Marketing Committee and address the importance of their support of SB 486. The link at the bottom of the page will bring you to the members of the committee and their e-mail information.  I challenge each of you to take a moment to address this issue not only as constituents but as practicing certified athletic trainers in this state.

Thank you in advance for your letters of support, with this support along with the efforts of the Executive Council of ALATA and members of the Board we should have a successful legislative session this year.

www.legislature.state.al.us/senate/senatecommittees/senatecommittees.html#anchor55920

Sincerely,

Heloise Belarmino

President
 

Time is closing in and it is time to get our CEU’s.  Registration is open for the Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association Annual Symposium.  The fee is only $100 for early registration.  That is for 15 CEU’s.  You will not find a better deal this summer.  That is 15 CEU’s for $100.  Please do not forget to register and come down for a great meeting and fun in the sun.  The early registration ends May 1, 2009.  Just go to www.alata.org and get your registration form.  Don’t waste time, register now and SAVE MONEY.  We look forward to having you there.