Charging Ahead in 2010 – Keep the Momentum Going!

Happy New Year from all of us at the AVMA-CAN. Members of the AVMA-CAN are a force to be reckoned with–we now have thousands of members throughout the United States, covering every state and spreading our advocacy messages to Congress.

Last year was a milestone year for AVMA-CAN, and this year will be even better. We challenge you to make it your 2010 resolution to take full advantage of your membership in our dynamic community: to stay in contact with Congress and to become a more active part of AVMA-CAN.

The AVMA made significant legislative progress in 2009, but there's plenty of work ahead in 2010. We continue to work toward the passage of the Veterinary Services Investment Act (VSIA) and to advance other key pieces of legislation. See the JAVMA News article reprinted in this month's Advocate for more details about our current legislative agenda.

Soon we will turn our attention to the FY11 budget process. Gina Luke, assistant director of government relations at AVMA, has been busy strategizing and leveraging resources on Capitol Hill so that the AVMA's appropriations priorities will be recognized in the budget. We will keep you posted as this process develops.

We also continue to work toward our legislative goals in the areas of food safety and in the small business arena. In case you missed the articles last month, make sure you get caught up on the "what's" and "how's" of food safety and health care legislation.

As always, we are extremely grateful for your help and commitment to advancing animal and human health. Because of your help, we had great success and growth last year. And with your continued help and support in 2010, you can bet that this year will be another one for the record books.