PHILADELPHIA -- The fine print on the invitation for a luncheon salute to five Republican women at the GOP convention gave all the reason financial industry lobbyists needed to attend.

"The right relationship is everything," banking giant Chase said in a message just below its corporate logo. Chase, of course, is picking up the tab for the luncheon.

And why not?

The five honorees include the House Banking Committee's Marge Roukema of New Jersey and Sue Kelly of New York, the Rules Committee's Deborah Pryce of Ohio and the Appropriations Committee's Kay Granger of Texas. Financial industry lobbyists need right relationships with all those committees.

After the ink dries on their five- and six-figure political checks, special interests continue to sow good will among Washington's elite at the nominating conventions by throwing lavish events in their honor.

Everybody who is somebody is being saluted this week at the GOP convention in Philadelphia, and again in two weeks in Los Angeles when the Democrats stage their event. In each instance, businesses with interests before government are picking up the tab.

"As a business, all we're asking for is a level playing field so we can compete. The Republican Party offers us the best opportunity to do just that," explained Luke Corbett, chairman and chief executive officer of Kerr McGee.

The Oklahoma-based oil giant shelled out about $60 for each of the 700 attendees at the midday brunch Sunday that honored Assistant Senate Majority Leader Don Nickles of Oklahoma.

A brass band of musicians dressed in red, white and blue greeted guests with patriotic songs and military marches as they entered a private club founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the policies of President Lincoln.

The oil industry has good reason to court Nickles, who also is chairman of the Senate Energy Committee's energy research subcommittee.

Energy interests are also picking up the tab for a barbecue in honor of Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, a key member of the Commerce Committee that oversees oil and electricity.

AT&T has chipped in on several salutes, including one Sunday night that had Republicans lining up for hours outside the door of a tavern for a free cigar and a martini. The honoree -- House Rules Committee Chairman David Drier, whose panel can affect how bills come to the House floor.

AT&T and other long-distance providers are trying to block legislation that would allow the rival Baby Bells to move into the long-distance market for data transmissions -- without having to get federal permission for each state in their region.

J.C. Watts, the fourth ranking Republican in the House, got one of the more lavish salutes -- an upbeat bash complete with music by the Temptations. The National Federation of Independent Business helped pay the way "to express their appreciation for Watts' proven commitment to small-business interests."

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott also got a musical salute -- a Lott Hop with '50s music featuring American Bandstand host Dick Clark and the Four Tops and Shirelles. AT&T, defense contractor Lockheed Martin and rail giant Union Pacific were among the sponsors.

Members of Congress' two tax-writing committees are also favored honorees -- including from companies looking to avoid increases on so-called sin taxes on tobacco and alcohol.

The outgoing chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Bill Archer of Texas, is being feted at a bash being underwritten by insurer Chubb Corp., accounting firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP and the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America.

And US Tobacco Co. honored Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a Senate Finance Committee member, with cocktails and dinner atop the city's downtown Hyatt.

Even state officials on their way up were the focus of salutes.

Ohio State Auditor Jim Petro, whose name has emerged as a possible candidate for governor or attorney general, was hosted at a morning breakfast paid for by four companies -- Dayton Heart Hospital, Marathon Oil Company, the Mathile Foundation and Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association.