U.S. Chamber Applauds Outgoing Chairman

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce today praised Steve Van Andel for his outstanding service as Chamber chairman for 2001-2002. Van Andel, the chairman of Alticor, Inc., the parent company of the Amway Corp., ends his term this week.

"Steve did a tremendous job promoting the Chamber's priorities and building and maintaining relationships during what was, at times, a tumultuous year," said Thomas J. Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "Employers won several important victories in the courts and on Capitol Hill during his chairmanship."

During the year, Van Andel traveled extensively throughout the United States, meeting with state and local chamber executives and other business leaders to discuss the Chamber's work and policy agenda. He also logged 160,000 miles visiting 11 countries to meet with heads of state, including, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany, and President Jiang Zemin of China.

The Chamber scored several victories for business during Van Andel's chairmanship, including critical legislative votes for trade promotion authority for the president with an impressive Capitol Hill lobbying effort, elimination of the death tax, class action reform to protect employers from frivolous lawsuits, and pushing for a permanent nuclear waste site at Yucca Mountain as part of a common-sense national energy plan. The Chamber was also active in coalition-building, particularly in the areas of transportation and health care, both critical issues for employers.

"No one understands better than Steve how vital international trade is to U.S. businesses," said Donohue. "He did a wonderful job educating members of the business community on the importance of eliminating tariffs and barriers to free trade."

Van Andel will serve as chairman of the Chamber's Executive Committee next year in addition to his duties with Alticor.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector and region.

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