Restaurants may be the largest private-sector employer in the United States, but that's nothing to take for granted. The restaurant business is a large industry of small businesses operating on narrow profit margins. Each time an interest group or a legislator proposes a new mandate or a new tax, restaurants are hit hard. Restaurants need to be prepared to fight back -- which is why the SAFE (Save American Free Enterprise) Fund exists.

Save American Free Enterprise (SAFE) serves as a catalyst to mobilize, educate and execute the restaurant industry's political efforts at all levels of government in cooperation with the National Restaurant Association (NRA), state restaurant associations (SRA), multi-unit companies and allied partners.

Since inception in 1996, SAFE has contributed nearly $7 million to state partners in their efforts to fight anti-business legislation and initiatives. SAFE has led the effort to provide financial and professional resources directly to states where and when it is needed the most to fight anti-business legislation and initiatives on key issues including, wage, health care and menu labeling.

It is clear that issues important to the restaurant industry are being debated at all levels of government. Given this dynamic, we have learned that to be successful in defending our business interests we must mobilize, educate and execute our industry's political efforts at a level never seen before. SAFE’s yearly campaign efforts are aimed at providing leadership and financial support to improve the restaurant industry's political position through organization and education focused at all levels of the political spectrum. For more information contact Tim Ehlert.

Taxes, wages, health care, leave mandates and menu labeling. The NRA Public Affairs team works closely with SAFE and state restaurant associations to ensure these issues and others important to the industry aren't enacted across the country without industry input. If we can work to defeat harmful anti-restaurant business legislation, SAFE believes that for every dollar we spend, the industry will save at least two.

The restaurant industry is under attack throughout the country. SAFE relies solely on contributions from the restaurant industry. Donating to SAFE helps ensure that every fight has the leadership and financial resources to achieve success. SAFE can accept personal or corporate contributions. Contributions to the National Restaurant Association SAFE Fund are not deductible for federal income tax purposes, as they may be used for lobbying efforts. Additionally, the contributions are also not tax deductible as charitable contributions.

• Richard E. Marriott SAFE Golf Invitational, Oct. 26-28, 2009, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. For more information contact Tim Ehlert at 202-331-5938 or tehlert@restaurant.org.