Over the next few years our website will play a much larger role in our service. That expanded role has already begun. For the first time in the 125-year history of this union, our members are able to get same day information about what we do in this room this week, simply by visiting www.boilermakers.org and clicking on Convention News. They will be able to review the events of each day, see photographs and even view small video highlights of the Convention.

A few weeks after the Convention, we will be rolling out our updated website, more information and advanced features that improve communications with members, employers and the public.

Our Department of Communications and Education and Training Services is developing online training to augment the classroom training we offer stewards, local lodge leaders and our International staff.

Our newly developed SMART online membership reporting system uses Internet technologies to ease the reporting burden for our local lodge secretary-treasurers and will soon be available to all locals.

With greater financial strength, we will be able to revitalize our organizing efforts that are so important to insuring our future. And we will be moving forward in the construction of a new headquarters for our union, for the Brotherhood Bank and Trust, and hopefully for the Boilermakers National Funds.

As you will find in my written report, our current headquarters has reached the end of its economic life. It is time to invest in a new headquarters that will grow in value, even as it provides us with a new home and additional source of lease revenue going forward. Planned for construction on a 23-acre tract of land in North Olathe, Kansas, we expect the entire complex to contain approximately 250,000 square feet of usable space.

It will be located in the Cedar Creek Development, which contains high value homes, a golf course, and other office development sites. This property should increase significantly in value as this area becomes the new growth corridor for the greater Kansas City area. In addition, we have secured a 10-year tax abatement allowance from the City. We will also be purchasing office space for our satellite offices when buying makes more economic sense than renting.

Our real estate strategy will help protect the Brotherhood's assets. Brothers and Sisters, we have much to be proud of and much to protect. When you add up the value of what we and those who came before us have built, from our International assets to our pension, annuity and health care plans, to the combined assets of our local lodges, you will find that we are nearly a $10 billion organization.

And when you look at our Brotherhood's diversity, you see our fundamental strength. For 125 years, Boilermakers have contributed significantly to the economies, the social infrastructure and the military readiness of both Canada and the United States.

When the U.S. Navy sends an Aegis destroyer or Sea Wolf submarine to defend our country, you see the hard work of Shipbuilding Division Boilermakers who proudly contributed to the defense readiness of our nation.