JA’s PAC launches awards

New York--Jewelers of America announced last week that it would introduce the JA Political Action Committee Awards to recognize individual members who make contributions to support the organization’s legislative advocacy for the fine jewelry industry.

There will be different levels of recognition based on contribution amounts. They are as follows:
-- For an annual gift of $1 to $499, members will receive a JAPAC Certificate of Recognition.
-- For an annual gift of $500 to $1,999, they will receive a JAPAC Certificate of Recognition and a sterling silver JAPAC pin.
-- For an annual gift of $2,000 to $3,499, they will get a JAPAC Certificate of Recognition and a sterling silver and gemstone pin.
-- For an annual gift of $3,500 to $5,000--the maximum amount contributors can give per year--members will receive a JAPAC Certificate of Recognition and sterling silver pin with multiple gemstones.

All contributions from JA members must be received before Dec. 31, 2014 in order to be eligible for the awards. According to the organization, there will be a recognition ceremony, the details of which will be released at a later date.

“In 2014, a year that will be critical in terms of the legislative landscape, we are looking to expand the reach of the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee,” said Susan Thea Posnock, JA’s director of public affairs and education. “That’s critical, since every day legislators make decisions that impact businesses, including jewelers. We have to be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to legislation which could hurt our industry.”

“The jewelry industry’s support of JAPAC will help ensure jewelers have a collective voice on Capitol Hill, and Jewelers of America can now gratefully acknowledge those JA members who support JAPAC with an awards pin.”

More information about the JA Political Action Committee can be found on the JA website or by contacting Sharie Fogarty through email at sfogarty@jewelers.org or by phone at 646-658-5813.

Jewelers of America’s Political Action Committee is the only PAC that supports the fine retail jewelry industry in Washington. Through it, employees of JA member firms can join with other jewelry industry professionals to back candidates for federal office who support the interests of the jewelry industry.