Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich (left) talks with Jack Desmond, 2002-2003 president of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA), at the 2003 SMACNA Convention, held recently in Washington. Gingrich was the opening general session speaker. Fueling the political debates at the conference were Sens. Mary L. Landrieu and Evan Bayh, who made brief speeches before the association presented its safety awards. And, of course, there were political overtones to the talk from Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA) General President Michael Sullivan at the annual labor forum. Look for 2003 SMACNA Convention coverage in future issues of The News.

Publication date: 11/03/2003