U.S. Chamber Launches "Vote for Business Bandwagon"

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The United States Chamber of Commerce today unveiled the newest component of its 2006 election outreach efforts, the "Vote for Business Bandwagon" bus, which will embark on a month-long trip to key states and congressional districts during the August Congressional recess for candidate endorsement events with U.S. Chamber members and voter registration drives.

"This tour takes our voter education efforts to a whole new level," said Bill Miller, Chamber vice president and national political director. "By partnering with state and local chambers and our members in targeted areas, we will be able to mobilize and educate voters for the critical mid-term elections."

The bus, which is colorfully decorated specifically for the Chamber, is outfitted with more than a dozen state-of-the-art computer workstations and a satellite uplink which will allow Chamber staffers to process voter registration forms and provide important information on early voting and absentee ballots.

The tour will begin in Maryland and will cover 12 states during August, where the bus will be the centerpiece of voter registration events, grassroots activist training, and press conferences announcing Chamber endorsements for critical House and Senate races. In addition to holding events with Chamber members, the bus will also be visible at sporting events and state fairs.

"The goal is to educate, motivate, and turnout our members this fall," said Miller.

The tour complements the Chamber's existing voter outreach efforts, which include a series of Vote for Business Web sites that the Chamber has built for its state and local counterparts and members free of charge to increase voter awareness and participation in elections.

The Chamber's 2006 voter education program builds on its previous efforts. During the 2004 voter education program, the Chamber devoted significant resources to educate voters and organize get-out-the-vote efforts and, in addition, worked with its members in nine key Senate races and 28 House contests.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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Follow the Vote for Business Bandwagon all month online.

www.uschamber.com/bus