CCAF OFFICIALS TO ADDRESS ACE FUNDING CONCERNS WITH SENATE STAFF

CCAF OFFICIALS TO ADDRESS ACE FUNDING CONCERNS WITH SENATE STAFF    The Coalition for Customs Automation Funding will hold a briefing today at 10 a.m. with Senate staff to address the industry’s concern over funding Customs’ future Automated Commercial Environment.
   The coalition has set up a panel of officials to explain to the Senate staffers the industry and public benefits of a modern Customs system. The panel includes Sam Banks, former deputy Customs commissioner; Ron Schoof of Caterpillar; Jon Kent of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association; Erik Winborn of Wal-Mart; and Robert Cresanti for the Information Technology Association of America.
   CCAF, a group of more than 100 companies, trade associations, consultants and law firms, has been lobbying Congress for ACE funds for the past two years. The government’s fiscal 2001 budget included the first ACE funds of $130 million.
   The coalition said its work is far from over. The Bush Administration’s proposed budget for fiscal 2002 only includes $130 million for ACE development.
   '”At this rate it will take 14 years to build the new system which will be outdated before it is built,” the coalition said.