Building 21st Century Infrastructure Topic of March 4 Conference

Government, academic, industry, labor and association experts to tackle the long view

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — An economic recovery bill with significant infrastructure spending may have just been passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, but participants in the upcoming March 4 Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure for Global Competitiveness conference agree that the nation needs to re-think the way we plan and invest in infrastructure initiatives, putting politics aside and making “smart” choices for a new century.

“The Obama Administration understands that the US economy and infrastructure need more than asphalt for pot-holed streets and steel girders for bridges. We need a stimulus package that addresses future needs and national competitiveness,” said Gerry Mooney, IBM General Manager of Global Government and Education. “Rather than simply rebuild, we can transform and innovate with technology that can manage our infrastructure intelligently, creating high value skills for Americans in the process. This is a cost-effective long-term solution.”

Mooney will be addressing the day-long conference hosted by Iona College and sponsored by Terex Corporation at the J.W. Marriott starting at 8:30 a.m. Other expert speakers will include: U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon; Federico Pena, former U.S. Secretary of both Energy and Transportation; John Engler, President of National Association of Manufacturers and former Michigan Governor; and Robert Puentes of the Brookings Institution.

In addition, there will be speakers from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO, American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Road Transportation Builders Association, among others. Conference attendees, participants and expert panelists will share their expertise to help shape the ongoing national dialogue, and discuss long-term infrastructure solutions.

“In the next 40 years, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts the American population will reach 439 million,” says Terex Chairman and CEO Ron DeFeo. “We must put our people and our knowledge to work, building in ways that are not only better, but smarter. We cannot be constrained by 20th-century conventions, but must develop the vision and the will to work together on infrastructure initiatives that will promote economic growth and ensure our future prosperity.”

Those interested in registering or learning more about the conference can visit www.infrastructure2009.com.

Sponsors of the conference include American Road and Transportation Builders, American Society of Civil Engineers, TBS Shipping, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and The Washington Times.

About Iona College:

Founded in 1940 by the Congregation of Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, Iona College is a private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of American Catholic higher education. Iona, currently listed in the US News and World Report’s annual “America’s Best Colleges 2008″ and The Princeton Review’s Best Northeastern Colleges 2008 edition, offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as master of arts, master of science and master of business administration degrees and numerous post-graduate certificate programs.

About Terex: Terex Corporation (NYSE: TEX) is a diversified global manufacturer that operates in four business segments: Aerial Work Platforms, Construction, Cranes, and Materials Processing & Mining. Terex manufactures a broad range of equipment for use in various industries, including the construction, infrastructure, quarrying, surface mining, shipping, transportation, refining, and utility industries. Terex offers a complete line of financial products and services to assist in the acquisition of Terex equipment through Terex Financial Services.

SOURCE Terex