This is the month we celebrate the birthdays of two of this nation's most famous presidents. The first is George Washington, better known as the father of our country. This first president set a very high standard for those that followed. His word was his bond and he lived his life as an example before the people of this great nation. Washington had high morals and could be looked at as a good example for the young people growing up in that day. Each year there is a re-enactment of Washington crossing the Delaware as he led the troops in battle with the enemy. We cannot imagine the hardship at Valley Forge that soldiers had to endure, but it was to free this country.

The other whose birthday falls in this month is Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president. Lincoln is another leader that set a great example for the people of his day. His honesty and integrity brought him the nickname of "Honest Abe." Again this country found it was at war. This time it was a war against ourselves, the north against the south. If it had not been for his leadership we might be two countries instead of one great United States. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches that yet today makes one proud to be an American.

So you might ask, what does this have to do with the automotive industry? I was just looking at the foundation of this country, particularly those that laid it, and what can happen when people get away from the very basics of what made this nation great. Could this also relate to ASA? It seems that the founding fathers, so to speak, of our trade association were looking at what was best for the member businesses. What would it take to keep the business climate open to the independent shop owners? Our leaders knew that a voice in Washington, D.C., would be needed if we were to survive. By having a voice there we were able to see bills such as the design patent bill, HR1790, defeated. This and other bills would, if passed, lock us out of part of the repair market. So we need to continue to build this voice in Washington. It takes numbers to convince the legislators to make the right choices.

ASA is the voice for the automotive aftermarket and we need to support this association if for no other reason than that. As individuals we can have little effect, but banded together we can accomplish much. There has been much false information put out both in print and on the Internet about the leadership of ASA and the changes made in member's freedom of choice. Many times it had to do with an individual's interpretation, not necessarily fact. So let us look past the part-truths and come together for the benefit of all. True leadership looks at what is best for the whole not what is convenient for me at this time. I assure you that the board of directors of ASA has your best interests at heart when making tough decisions like member's choice. The staff in Bedford, Texas, only follows the dictates of your elected board, not the other way around as has been reported. Let us all pull together as we enter the next century for the good of all members, not just a few.

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