Washington, DC, May 13^th, 2009 CompTIA today hosted 19 value-added-resellers (VARs) of IT to meet with staff and legislators in the Senate Commerce Committee, House and Senate Small Business Committees, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Small Business Administration. Voicing their top concerns, VARs urged Capitol Hill to reform the U.S. healthcare system and improve economic stimulus / recovery opportunities for American small businesses, among other issues discussed.

VARs are at the frontline of the American IT industry. In the U.S., more than 32,000 VAR businesses help America's small businesses and homes install, update, fix and maintain the IT that runs our country. Primarily small businesses themselves, VARs allow Americans to remain among the most productive, connected and IT-enabled in the world.

Though their work sits at the cutting edge of technology, bottom line matters dominated today's meetings. The rising cost of healthcare, as well as access to stimulus opportunities for small businesses, represent issues that test the viability of most every VAR in attendance. In their view, Washington cannot work harder or fast enough to help VARs and small businesses meet these mounting challenges.

Noted Lester Keizer, CEO of Ron Cook's Connecting Point, a network management company in Las Vegas, Nev.: "Everyone one of us here feels strongly about providing healthcare for our employees. Yet, rising costs make this tougher to accomplish with each passing year. This issue has to be tackled in ways that can increase coverage, lower costs and improve quality, while also remaining fair to small businesses. We believe this balance can happen, and we hope our input here can help bring this about."

As to stimulus opportunities, John R. Marler, president of MarFam Computer Solutions, a managed service provider for office environments in Georgetown, Texas, stated: "At nearly $800 billion, the stimulus package is an immense opportunity to help Americans weather these tough economic times. Thus, access to these opportunities is paramount. VARs like us bring IT, along with all its benefits, to local governments, schools, small businesses and average citizens. If this 'stimulus' door isn't open, then the promise that IT can deliver may face some tough sledding, hampering our national recovery."

Other concerns also saw airing in the meetings, such as: improving access to small business credit and financing; tax policy to bolster small business purchase of IT; boosting the uptake of green IT and health information technology; promotion of data security standards that reduce the labyrinth of requirements and regulations placed upon U.S. businesses; and properly balancing intellectual property protections so that creators may more readily develop the IT innovation we have come to depend upon.

"We know a lot about the very largest IT companies innovating for Americans," said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA. "But, VARs play a huge role in this chain, too. They take the amazing innovation that the U.S. IT industry has to offer, and then max-out those solutions to meet the evolving demands of U.S. businesses and consumers.  We're here to let policymakers see that, and in doing so, help them also know that bottom line matters such as health care and stimulus opportunities have a direct effect on the proliferation of IT in America, as well as our economic leadership."

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world's information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.CompTIA.org.

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