FMC Corp.'s Don Claus, right, presents the 2004 Leadership Award.

ARLINGTON, VA — Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, syndicated political columnist Ann Coulter and lawyer and former independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr kept the mood political at the National Pest Management Association's 2004 Legislative Day, held Feb. 23 and 24. The event, sponsored by FMC Corp., gave PMPs from around the country the opportunity to learn more about legislative issues affecting the industry, and included visits to Capitol Hill.

Orkin Pest Control President Glen Rollins, left, speaks to roundtable attendees including Mike Rottler of Rottler Pest Control and Lawn Care.

Representatives from pest control companies, manufacturers, state regulatory agencies and NPMA held rotating roundtables Monday morning, offering advice and discussions on a variety of business, leadership and regulatory topics.

Attendees participated in legislative briefings on issues including the Clean Water Act, lawsuit prevention and the Endangered Species Act, then visited with their local senators and representatives to discuss bill introduction.

Right-wing political author Ann Coulter offered comic insight on political party distinctions during her presentation sponsored by Dow AgroSciences.   In a keynote address sponsored by FMC Corp., Ari Fleischer related tales of White House press briefings. Kenneth Starr, in a speech sponsored by Syngenta Professional Products, gave Washington insight from a lawyer's perspective.

Issue-oriented breakout sessions covered leadership and professionalism, fumigation updates and general regulatory issues. Topics included the registration of Dow AgroSciences' ProFume fumigant, updates on the methyl bromide CUE process, NPMA's QualityPro, and upcoming NPCA-1 form changes.