John Francis Jr., an Automotive Service Association (ASA) Mechanical Division Operations Committee member, has given an on-board diagnostic (OBD) information availability demonstration for members of Congress and congressional staffers.

Francis owns Francis Automotive Service in West Chester, Pa. His son, John, who is also involved in the family business, joined Francis at the demonstration. The demonstration was held in June in Washington, D.C., to educate members and staff about the issue of information availability. Both the U.S. House and Senate committees of jurisdiction were given demonstrations.

Members of Congress who attended the demonstration included Reps. Frank Pallone, D-N.J.; Earl Blumenhauer, D-Ore.; and Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.

Staff members from Reps. Joseph Pitts, R-Pa.; Charles Bass, R-N.H.; Cliff Stearns, R-Fla.; Richard Burr, R-N.C.; Paul Gillmor, R-Ohio; John Shadegg, R-Ariz.; Charles Pickering, R-Miss.; Joe Barton, R-Texas; Lee Terry, R-Neb.; and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., also attended. Senior House and Senate Commerce Committee staff members also attended.

ASA, along with other aftermarket groups, supports the proposed legislation titled “The Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act of 2001.”

Bob Redding, ASA Washington, D.C., representative, said, “Our purpose for scheduling this demonstration on Capitol Hill was to educate policymakers about a matter of great concern to the automotive repair industry. The Clean Air Act amendments encouraged a new class of vehicles that could potentially impede our members from repairing vehicles. With independent repairers responsible for 75 percent of all repairs, the impact on consumers would be tremendous.

“We believe our members benefited greatly from the demonstration. We have already received encouraging signs that these efforts have sparked the interest of legislators and congressional staff on both sides of the aisle.”

John Francis, Jr., left, explains the importance of on-board diagnostic information availability to the chief counsel of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Senate Commerce Committee staffers hear why on-board diagnostic information availability is vital.

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