Document wQ40pQd2a50nLe9Ya614XqYE

FILE NAME: Asbestos Information Association (AIA) DATE: 1974 Jan 3 DOC#: AIA028 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter - AIA to Asbestos Textile Institute ASBESTOS INFORMATION ASSOCIATION 'S 0 !.3 if *f W ijm n gten ZZ 2CC36 ZC2) 223-J885 3 January 1974 Mrs. Doris M. Fagan, Executive Director Asbestos Textile Institute P. 0. 3ox 471 Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090 \j xj yj Dear Doris: As a first order of business this new year and with some urgency, I write to you and others in executive capacity with asbestos trade and informational organizations. *1/ V The Asbestos Information Association/North America came into being just three years ago, as you may recall. Its purpoise, then as now, is to fill the need for a single, encompassing organization to represent U. S. and Canadian producer and user companies and associated trade groups with government agencies, news media, and others as an authoritative, over* all industry source of information and liaison on the asbestos-, health issue. ' Under Matt Swetonic and ari active, forward-looking group of officers and directors, the Association has achieved recogni tion as an effective spokesman for the industry. In October of this past year, at the direction of its board of directors, the Association office was moved to the Nation's capital. Matt elected to remain in New York City to join the staff of a public relations firm, and I took over the responsibilities of executive director for the Association. At the risk of dupli cation, I enclose a review of the Association which outlines its purpose, problems, organization, and objectives. The paper was presented by Matt to members of the Asbestos Textile Institute in June of this past year and remains reasonably contemporary. ' I know that each of us similarly associated with the asbestos industry as association executives can see extremely busy and challenging days ahead. We are fortunate to share the expertise and guidance off many of our mutual members and to maintain good lines off communication. Since its inception, the AIA/NA has enjoyed close relationships with your organization, and I assure you of my interest in continuing the fine record of / LAQ-WV ' 8/ 1^0/93 002194 A Page 2 cooperation. We have much to do together, and, as vou are well aware, the time for best actions is now. . - At our board of directors' meeting in December, it was recommended that the trade associations of the asbestos industry be listed as affiliated with the AIA/NA for the obvious purpose of strength and accord in representation of common interest. * In our membership listing, we propose to list your organization under the heading "affiliated associations". Through our mailings and such meetings that we have of interest to you, we shall keep you informed on information collected and actions taken by AIA/* NA in connection with asbestos-health and safety issues. We, of course, shall consult with you on matters of particular concern to your organization. There will be no financial obligation to your organization for this affiliated status. We plan to re publish our pamphlet on AIA/NA within the next two weeks -- long over-due because of the change of address and the addition of new members -- and would appreciate your early response to this proposal. On another matter, we-propose to publish a booklet which will fully address itself to the asbestos industry. In addition to general interest information concerning asbestos and a thorough discussion of the asbestos-health issue, we propose to include a chapter on mining and on each of the major product areas. It is hoped that each of the involved trade associations will pre pare the material for the chapter of its particular interest, employing the by-line of its executive director. We feel very strongly that 'here is a need for such a public information/ relations booklet to define the industry and dispel public mis understandings about asbestos -and otherwise enhance the public image of the industry. A plan for this project will be coming your way in the near future. This has become a rather long letter. We could have had a meeting and perhaps we should sometime in the future. Meanwhile, we are.pleased to serve you by 'phone or letter and welcome exchange of information and any suggestions which you may wish to offer toward attainment of our mutual objectives. with every good wish for a happy and successful New Year, . , Cordially, R.f H. Mereness Executive Director RHM/cg Enclosure LAQ-WV02195 ASSOCIATIONS Mr. Joseph C. Jackson, Executive Director Asbesto s Cessent Pipe Producers Association 1375 Connecticut Avenue Suite 1113 Washington, D. C. 20009 Mr. A. H. Fay, President Asbestos Cement Products Association - , . c/o National Gypsum Company 325 Delaware Avenue 3uffalo, New York 14202 Mrs. Doris M. Fagan, Executive Director Asbestos Textile Institute P. 0. 3ox 471 Willow Grove,...Pennsylvania 19090 \ Mr. Ed Drislane, Executive Director ' Friction Material Standards Institute, Bergan Mall Office Center East 210 Soute #4 . Paramus, New Jersey 07652 Inc. Mr. George P. Vogel, Executive Director National Association of Filter Manufacturers UPO Box 245 Xingston, New York 12401 Mr. Paul Filteau, General Manager . Quebec Asbestos Mining Association (QAMA) 580 est, Grande Allee, Suite 320 Quebec,. P. Q. G1S 2X2 . . . CANADA * Mr. Sobert D. Maurer, Managing Director P.esilient Tile Institute 25 Washington Street East Orange, New Jersey 07017 Mr. John M. Barnhart . ` Thermal Insulation Manufacturers Association, Inc. 7 Kirby Plata ' Mt. Xisco, New York 10549 < t ; * J < , AQ-WV ' 10/93 002196 . JAN 7 374