Congressman Visclosky pays Home Day Visit to Task Force Tips
VALPARAISO, IN - In its ongoing effort to strengthen Congressional and community ties, Task Force Tips recently hosted Congressman Peter Visclosky (D-IN) and more than 100 key constituents for a luncheon and a tour of its facilities.
“FAMA/FEMSA is encouraging all of us to get involved with our communities, as well as to insure and strengthen our legislative ties,” explained Rod Carringer, TFT VP of Marketing and Sales. “Hosting a community event proved to be an ideal Home Day related venue for us. It allowed people to become acquainted with us, our interests, and our facility in a relaxed setting.”
The Innovators Café - the event TFT hosted - is an ongoing forum of Ivy Tech College’s Gerald I. Lamkin Center, a group that unites the Midwest’s innovative with its entrepreneurs. TFT Director of Research Robert Steingass, a fellow of the center’s Society of Innovators, served as the luncheon’s guest speaker.
“This was a perfect fit for TFT,” Carringer said. “Bob talked about how seeing this adjustable elbow at the local hardware store somehow led him to invent TFT’s Monsoon monitor - which opened the door to a question and answer session about TFT’s products and philosophies.”
U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN) was among the day’s guests. Visclosky, who has represented the state’s First District since 1984, is a member of the Appropriations Committee and chairs the Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee.
"From economic development, to community safety, to an improved quality of life throughout Northwest Indiana, one key ingredient that is needed for our success is innovation,” said Visclosky. “I enjoyed attending this Innovator's Café, which focused on Task Force Tips."
Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas, a veteran politician and practicing attorney, hosted the event. Costas, a key force in the community's ongoing funding of emergency medical services and a proponent for fire service expansion, spoke of a strong need for businesses and politicians to attend public forums and similar events.
In preparation for the luncheon, TFT designed invitations that contained its new promotional DVD: “Conceived on a Napkin, Built on Innovation: The Task Force Tips Success Story.” Guests also received packets that contained information about FAMA/FEMSA legislative priorities, as well as back grounding on TFT and its economic impact.
“The Home Day kit walked us through everything,” Carringer said. “There were checklists, contacts – even handouts to use as leave behinds. Getting a grassroots effort like this going isn’t fun, but whoever put together that kit made things a lot easier.”
The Governmental Affairs Committee’s four legislative 2007 priorities are: 1.) Educating Congress on the importance of the Fire Grants program to the nation’s 1.1 million firefighters 2.) Educate Congress on the importance of the U.S. Fire Administration 3.) Support Staff for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program and 4.) Clarity and Communication in the grant process.
“You have to pound those points home quickly when you have five minutes to make your case in some DC office,” Carringer said. “What was nice about this event was that we had a chance to tour the plant and talk.”
Follow-up will be the key to strengthening both messages with elected officials, Carringer allowed. “As the GAC letter said - ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind.’ Our concerns, and those of our community, are a few of the many our representatives face. I told the Congressman that I plan on seeing him again soon. And I meant it.”
-- TFT --
A filled house of businesspeople packed its way into the Innovators Café, a TFT spring Home Day event.
from left-Rod Carringer, TFT VP of Marketing and Sales and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, (D-IN) share a moment with TFT CEO Stewart McMillan.
A filled house of businesspeople packed its way into the Innovators Café, a TFT spring Home Day event. 
from left- Rod Carringer, TFT VP of Marketing and Sales and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, (D-IN) share a moment with TFT CEO Stewart McMillan.