I’d like to thank all the New Jersey branches that signed up for our Congressional Breakfast in Washington, DC. It’s because of your efforts that we continue to be successful. We are recognized by the NALC as having one of the best legislative programs in the country and achieve accomplishments we can all be proud of.  It shows the level of responsibility our branch leaders have in protecting our jobs and benefits.

Inside this newsletter are the tentative appointments with the New Jersey Congressional delegation for Wednesday, March 2, 2005. Please be sure to check our website, njsalc.com, as well as the hospitality room at the Hyatt Regency for updated appointment information.

“I urge every member that hasn’t yet done so to

contribute to our political action fund”

The NALC Executive Vice President, Jim Williams, will conduct a rap session on Wednesday evening at 7:30pm at the Hyatt. The Congressional Breakfast will commence promptly at 8:00am on Thursday, March 3, 2005 in the downstairs ballroom of the Hyatt. I look forward to seeing you at this event.

The February issue of the Postal Record will focus on COLCPE donations. I urge every member that hasn’t yet done so to contribute to our political action fund. The NALC has made it very simple and effortless to donate. Payroll deduction is the easiest way to accomplish this. If every letter carrier in the NALC donated $1.00 per week our clout will be very impressive and rival that of big business. One dollar a week will not be missed either. Just think of this as an investment in your future. Give what you can, but please contribute. Your job and benefits are at risk.

Branch secretaries will soon be receiving the information regarding the 100^th Biennial New Jersey State Convention in May. The convention is being held at the Hilton Hotel / Casino in Atlantic City on Monday May 16 and Tuesday May 17, 2005. Registration will begin on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00pm at the Hilton. The convention will be called to order on Monday, May 16, at 9:30am. Several workshops are scheduled for Tuesday morning from 9:00am to 12 noon.

The Committee of Presidents meeting will be held as follows: Sunday and Monday, April 3 and 4, 2005 at the Las Vegas Hilton. All branch presidents should have received information regarding this meeting. If you haven’t received this information, please contact NJ State Treasurer, Nelson Gaskill. He is one of the co-chairpersons for the C.O.P. Nelson’s number is located on Page 2 of this newsletter.

The tentative dates for the fall C.O.P. are Monday and Tuesday, September 12 and 13, 2005 at the Tropicana Hotel / Casino, Atlantic City, NJ. More details will be forthcoming.

I would like to thank you all once again for your involvement and support of the New Jersey State Association and the NALC. Your efforts are the key to our successes. Keep up the good work!