Last Wednesday, 70 Automotive Service Association members participated in 220 meetings with legislators on Capitol Hill. For the majority, this was the first time they had the opportunity to share their opinions and concerns to their elected representatives. Tuesday evening, as they were being briefed on the issues the group would be addressing, some were nervous — perhaps a little worried — they would not be able to express themselves effectively.

Their fears were quickly dismissed as they dove right into their mission the next morning. They were encouraged to talk about how government policies affected their businesses from a personal perspective, and the attending ASA members rose to the occasion in admirable fashion.

The ASA Washington, D.C., office staff did an awesome job arranging the appointments for our members. They made certain that key legislators, who influence the issues of importance to independent automotive service and repair professionals, understood our positions and expectations.

This particular fly-in was primarily focused on collision repair issues. However, several of our mechanical repair members also attended and were pleased they were on hand during one of the most active weeks on the Hill in recent memory as both houses of Congress debated health care reform.

I recently mentioned in this space that it is no longer acceptable for our industry to sit on the sidelines of the political process. Small business is extremely vulnerable right now, and there is no question that our economic recovery is dependent on job creation by the small businesses of America. In meeting after meeting on Wednesday, legislators heard our members speak poignantly about their ability to retain or hire workers while their taxes, health care and energy costs continue to rise.

ASA’s Collision Division Operations Committee; Denise Caspersen, Collision Division manager; and the ASA Government Affairs Committee worked hard to recruit ASA member attendees from key states and congressional districts, and their efforts paid big dividends. Earl Dohner, AAM, ASA chairman of the board, was in attendance and we enjoyed our dinner together in the “overflow” room due to the terrific turnout. Thanks also to Charlie Elder, AAM, of Tallahassee, Fla., a past ASA board chairman, for his assistance in securing his congressman, Rep. Allen Boyd, as our Tuesday evening speaker.

I am not naïve about the influence that 70 people will have on the political process. Our association and our industry in general may be way down the list of major contributors to campaign coffers. But just one compelling story from the grassroots goes a long way, and there is no doubt in my mind that the folks who showed up last week made a difference.

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