Members cash in at 72nd annual SMA

Darvin Faust hosted the 72nd annual Southeastern Meeting Association's convention in Biloxi, Miss., from June 20-24. The conference was held at the newly constructed Beau Rivage hotel and casino, and locomotive engineers and family members enjoyed the fully-grown magnolia trees in the hotel's lobby. Some were able to cash in at the hotel's casino to help defray their convention expenses.

The opening ceremony began on June 21 and was marked by the GIA's annual flag ceremony. Vice-President Jim McCoy delivered a sermon and GIA representatives placed flowers on a memorial for locomotive engineers hurt or killed in the line of duty.

The afternoon was spent in a heated and emotional closed session for BLE members only.

Tuesday, June 22, was an off day and members participated in a golf tournament, toured the home of Jefferson Davis, or went fishing.

The final day of the convention was filled with intense Local Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer training workshops. In addition, members participated in a fatigue seminar and another closed session.

The 73rd annual SMA will be chaired by John Goodman. Louisville, Ky. will be the host city, and it will be held June 18-23, 2000 (see Calendar and Events for details).

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