New York, NY – Jewelers of America returned to Capitol Hill last week, as JA leadership and members met with lawmakers to discuss policies and issues impacting the jewelry industry. The annual fly-in, led by the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee (JAPAC), was held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
It was a global supply chain issue – concerns about implementation of Russian diamond restrictions across G7 nations including the United States – that took center stage this year. Jewelers of America has repeatedly asked lawmakers to push back against the proposed adoption of an exclusive physical verification and certification system in Belgium for all rough diamonds that is being touted by the European Union. Such a system would cause maximum damage to the global diamond and jewelry supply chain, while having minimal effect on Russia’s diamond revenues.
“This trip to Washington D.C. continued our essential representation for Jewelers of America, our members and the United States jewelry industry,” says JA President & CEO David J. Bonaparte. “Jewelers of America members made it clear they do not want Russian diamonds in their inventories, but they also don’t want solutions that cause unnecessary disruptions to the U.S. diamond industry.”
Fly-in Attendees shared this message with more than two dozen Members of Congress and were able to secure support from a senior Republican Member, who pledged to help share industry concerns on the Hill.
Jewelers also emphasized the need for action on critical issues that hit much closer to home, including retail crime and credit card swipe fees. Regarding elevated retail crime levels, the group met with Rep. Young Kim (R, CA-40), who introduced the Organized Retail Crime Act (H.R. 316) which would improve coordination and information sharing among federal law enforcement agencies.
“Our conversations focused on maintaining a supportive economic environment for jewelers, protecting the integrity of our diamond supply, and ensuring that safety measures are in place to combat retail crime,” wrote first-time fly-in attendee Amina Sorel of NYC-based Amina Sorel Fine Jewelry. “It’s clear that when we come together as an industry, we can advocate effectively for policies that benefit not just our businesses, but our communities as well.”
JA members met with a wide array of lawmakers including:
- Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
- Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
- Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)
- Rep. Darrell Issa (R, CA-48),
- Rep. Marc Molinaro, (R, NY-19)
- Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (D, WA-08)
- Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10)
- Rep. Young Kim (R, CA-40)
- Rep. Claudia Tenney (R, NY-24)
- Rep. Carol Miller (R, WV-01)
- Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R, TX-24)
- Rep. Brian Babin (R, TX-36)
- Rep. Rick Larsen (D, WA-02)
- Rep. Lori Chavez DeRemer (R, OR-5)
- Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY)
- Rep. Ronny Jackson (R, TX-13)
- Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07)
- Rep. Adam Smith (D, WA-09)
- Rep. Pete Sessions (R, TX-17)
Besides Sorel, who was joined by her CFO, Leslie Sorel, attendance for the event included Jewelers of America Members from a variety of jewelry firms across the country, including:
- Brian Alter, Alter’s Gem Jewelry, Beaumont, TX
- Lawrence Bock, Bachendorf's; Dallas, TX
- Jon Bridge, Ben Bridge Jeweler; Seattle, WA
- Linus Drogs, Au Enterprises, Inc., Beverly Hills, MI
- Susan Eisen and Ron Wolff, Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry Watches Art & Appraiser, El Paso, TX
- Bill Farmer Jr., Farmer’s Jewelers; Lexington, KY
- Rebecca Foerster, Hearts on Fire; Boston, MA
- Susan Grant, Grants Jewelry; New York, NY
- Elise Greenberg, Greenberg's Jewelers; Sioux City, IA
- Myriam Gumuchian, Gumuchian; New York, NY
- Constance Polamalu, Zachary's Jewelers; Annapolis, MD
The delegation was led by Jewelers of America President & CEO David J. Bonaparte, Chief Financial Officer Annie Doresca, and Public Affairs & Education Director Susan Thea Posnock. Spearheading the event was Tim Haake, Managing Director of Haake & Associates, JA’s long-term government affairs firm.
The group was also joined by John W. Ford, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association; Jackie Mecca, SVP, GM, Luxury Markets, Synchrony; and Matthew Swibel, VP, Sustainability and Social Impact, Signet Jewelers.
Jewelers of America also welcomed fly-in attendees and D.C. area jewelers to its Multifaceted Learning Workshop – a full day of education and networking—held the day before the fly-in.
To learn more about Jewelers of America legislative advocacy and JAPAC, visit www.jewelers.org/ja/advocacy.High resolution images are available at: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2o6ljzylb8nay2vttyar3/ANvO7jrbyBooRt-yphHbcNA?rlkey=5t5n5tm9nede3geelxliaj4uw&st=fg0pp5n4&dl=0
