Crossing that million-dollar threshold, Mr. Rusbuldt pointed out, is more than just dollars. It is crossing a psychological barrier "for both our members and the Washington community."

"When you cross into the seven-digit category, more attention is paid to your PAC and your members," he observed. "There is a perception that you are at a different level when playing the political game. And there is a big difference in being a $1.3 million PAC and a $.3 million PAC."

While a substantial PAC doesn't guarantee contributors legislative support on every issue near and dear to the hearts of agents, he noted, "it does get you access and notice and grants you a hearing" among legislators.

InsurPac reached record fund-raising levels for a single year in 2002.

Independent agents and brokers contributed a record total of $453,996.78 to InsurPac, exceeding 2001 contributions of $27,000.

For 2001 to 2002 InsurPac raised $882,210.67, an increase of more than $200,000 over the previous election cycle of 2000 to 2001.

Among some of the beneficiaries of this PAC were Republicans, Democrats and Committees that support the aims of the IIABA and its members.

Among the hundreds of contributions made to candidates throughout the country during the 2001 to 2002 cycle, according to records supplied by the Federal Election Commission, both Democratic and Republican committees received a total of $30,000 each.

For the future, Mr. Rusbuldt said he is happy but not satisfied with the support agents have given InsurPac. Everyone who has a PAC wants it to be bigger. And with the passage of the McCain-Feingold bill that prohibits soft money (corporate) contributions, the direct contributor PACs, such as InsurPac, will grow in stature and influence, he said.

"At the end of the day, the number-one motivating factor for agents contributing to the PAC is the issues and the threat and opportunities they see in Congress and in the administration," said Mr. Rusbuldt.

"Agents open up their checkbooks and put their credit cards down on the table when they see a threat, perceive a threat, or see an opportunity to promote or enhance their businesses."