Chamber of Commerce of the United States

The idea of forming a national organization to represent the unified interests of U.S. business first took shape under the presidency of William Howard Taft. On April 12, 1912, his vision for the organization became a reality when a group of 700 delegates from various commercial and trade organizations came together to form the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to represent business interests at the national level. More than 90 years later, the Chamber has grown to include more than 3 million business organizations, 2,800 state and local chambers, 830 associations, and 102 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.

The U.S. Chamber focuses on national issues at the federal level that affect business interests. The Chamber tries to influence these issues through lobbying or talking with government leaders, testifying before Congress on behalf of business, going to court, keeping track of the legislative agenda, speaking out for business, and other means to make sure business interests are taken into account by the federal government. Its influence has grown over the years as it has become more sophisticated in its ability to affect the public policy process and make its voice heard in Congress and other parts of government. It has been a leader in fighting government regulation thought to be too onerous on business and pressing hard for legislation that is supportive of individual opportunity and the free enterprise system.

The Chamber has a number of programs that provide services to its members. The National Chamber Foundation, for example, is an independent, nonprofit public policy think tank that promotes discussion of cutting-edge issues affecting business. The Institute for Legal Reform helps reduce excessive and frivolous [Page 277]lawsuits while restoring fairness and balance to the nation's civil justice system. It does this by promoting civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at both national and local levels. Another legal program focusing on litigation is the National Chamber Litigation Center, which plays a major role in shaping public policy on important legal questions of concern to American business while achieving long-range improvements in the legal system as a whole.

Access America focuses on women and minorityowned business leaders and entrepreneurs and tries to open doors to networks and markets and fosters strategic alliances and investments for these groups. The Center for Corporate Citizenship works with public and private sectors to enable and facilitate corporate civic and humanitarian initiatives. The Center for Workforce Preparation elevates the quality of a community's workforce by participating in grant-based programs. The Institute for Organization Management and the Institute for Advanced Management offer continuing education opportunities and professional credentialing for chamber and association professionals. There is also a Homeland Security program that recognizes the stake American business has in a strong national defense and homeland security policy that safeguards Americans while also promoting their mobility and freedom.

With regard to trade and international programs, the U.S. Chamber has an International Division that tries to improve the ability of U.S. business to compete in the global marketplace by providing its members tools and resources as well as promoting cutting-edge events that bring world leaders to its membership. The Center for International Private Enterprise is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the Chamber that promotes democratic and market-oriented economic reform by working directly with the private sector in developing countries. The Space Enterprise Council represents businesses with a commercial interest in space by providing a forum for space-related companies. Finally, TradeRoots is a national trade education program dedicated to building grassroots support for trade in the U.S. Congress and stopping antitrade protectionism.

...