May 19, 2005

New York Action Alert

ATTENTION ALL NRLA-NY MEMBERS:
ASBESTOS LITIGATION REFORM VOTE PENDING
Legislation to achieve significant asbestos litigation reform will be voted on by the Senate Judiciary Committee in the near future.

1. Please FAX the letter below to Sen. Charles E. Schumer asking for his support of the FAIR Act (S.852) and urge him to continue to pass the measure. This controversial legislation would create a trust fund to handle all current and future asbestos lawsuits for victims and businesses.

Helpful hint:
Copy and paste the text onto your letterhead.

2. Please fax a copy of your letter to Rita Ferris at 518.286.1949 or e-mail a copy to: rferris@nrla.org. Rita will forward a copy of your letter to the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA).

May 19, 2005

The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
United States Senate
Washington DC 20510
VIA FAX: 202-228-3027

Dear Senator Schumer:

I am writing to ask for your support of the FAIR Act (S.852), which aims to achieve a lasting solution to the asbestos litigation crisis. I understand that you have been intimately involved in working toward a solution to this problem and appreciate your dedication to resolving this crisis. I understand you do not currently have an official position on the FAIR Act, and that the bill will be raised for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee in the near future.

Independent building material suppliers have been hit hard by asbestos lawsuits. Suppliers have found themselves dragged into asbestos lawsuits as secondary defendants, as many of the original manufacturers have been driven into bankruptcy. In most cases, we were simply a “pass-through” from the manufacturer to the consumer, with no way of knowing the product would later be found to be harmful.

The FAIR Act will not only protect large corporations, but will also protect small businesses like mine that are expending considerable resources defending ourselves against lawsuits. These legal expenses increasingly threaten our ability to remain in business and provide jobs in our local community.

An asbestos trust fund will end the uncertainty building material dealers face with the current asbestos litigation system, and ensure that compensation is available for those who are truly sick. Please continue your good work to advance meaningful asbestos litigation reform through the Judiciary Committee and vote for the FAIR Act when it is raised for consideration. Thank you.

Sincerely,

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