George W. Bush

WASHINGTON, DC—March 26, 2008—President George W. Bush today toured and gave brief remarks at Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation member company ColorCraft of Virginia in Sterling, VA. The President highlighted the effect that the recently passed economic stimulus package would have on ColorCraft and its employees. A recap of his remarks is included below. PIA supported this act which allowed for increased expensing and bonus depreciation for small businesses like ColorCraft. The President said, “ColorCraft is a small, thriving business that will benefit from the stimulus package that the Congress passed earlier this year.” ColorCraft CEO Jim Mayes, a former PIA/GATF Chairman

Themed Sales Contest Adds Political Spin STUART, FL—Southeastern Printing recently hosted an annual awards dinner and kick-off contest for its sales, production and management personnel. After awards were given out to several sales representatives, guests gathered in the parking lot to see who was arriving inside a black stretch limousine adorned with presidential seals and escorted by a police car. Out emerged President George W. Bush impersonator John Morgan, with two “Secret Service” agents by his side. After addressing the crowd and singing a few songs, the “President” announced the theme of Southeastern’s new contest, called “Decision ’08—You Can Make A Difference,” and

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate confirmed and President George W. Bush signed the commission to make Robert C. Tapella the nation’s 25th Public Printer. Tapella will lead more than 2,200 employees at the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Tapella has been involved in GPO’s transformation into a profitable 21st Century digital operation during the last five years, first as Deputy Chief of Staff and then as Chief of Staff. “It is a deep honor to become the 25th Public Printer of the United States and lead the talented men and women of GPO as we continue to fulfill our mission to keep America informed,” said

BITS AND PIECES PEOPLE WHO work in prepress and creative have entirely too much time on their hands. At least that’s the case for the creative department at Topps, the sports card specialist, in its handling of the 2007 baseball card set that hit shelves in February. Card No. 40 in the set features New York Yankees player Derek Jeter, engaged in the at-bat of a lifetime. His audience was considerable; in the card’s background, standing in the dugout, is a 1950s vintage image of Mickey Mantle. (Last time we checked, the Mick had been dead for more than 10 years.) And if you

Having emerged from the recent election with the first popular vote majority since 1988 and firmer control of Congress, George W. Bush is pushing ahead with some of the programs he championed during the recent campaign. Top of the list is a restructuring of the nation's creaking Social Security scheme, followed by reforms of America's tax and tort systems. All three reforms, however, will face stiff opposition from powerful, and entrenched, interest groups. The crisis in Iraq continues to sap Mr. Bush's political capital, as the Iraqi elections look less and less likely to quell the insurgency. America's economy will remain strong, despite widening deficits

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor Business is looking up for the commercial printing sector; too bad it has so much ground to make up. Even as the industry's recovery takes hold and grows, it's clear that challenges remain and there have been permanent changes in the competitive landscape. Putting aside personal political views, the re-election of President George W. Bush and the strengthening of a Republican majority in Congress sets clear expectations for the direction of business-related developments in the coming year. "It does take away some uncertainty," agrees Ronnie H. Davis, Ph.D., and chief economist at Printing Industries of America (PIA) in