Left to right: Incoming ASA Chairman Dan Frohlich; U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa.; and former ASA Chairman Johnny Mock meet at the U.S. Capitol during ASA's Annual Convention.
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Left to right: Incoming ASA Chairman Dan Frohlich; U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa.; and former ASA Chairman Johnny Mock meet at the U.S. Capitol during ASA's Annual Convention. |
One of the week's highlights was the April 10 “March on Capitol Hill.” ASA scheduled appointments for its members to have individual, one-on-one meetings with their elected national representatives. ASA members discussed H.R. 877, the Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act, and H.R. 2735, The Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act, also known as the information availability bill.
The day's activities concluded with the ASA Congressional Reception held in the Rayburn House Office Building. Eleven members of Congress and many more congressional staffers attended the reception.
Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative, reported 12 new cosponsors have signed on H.R. 2735 as a result of ASA member visits on Capitol Hill. To date, this brings the total number of co-sponsors on this bill to 35. For H.R. 877, Redding said four additional cosponsors have joined for a total of 51 cosponsors.
“The representatives added their names to these bills because ASA members came to Washington, sat down with elected leaders in their offices, and explained the importance of technician training and information availability,” Frohlich said. “These are two very important issues. ASA members made a difference on April 10, and we're still making a difference by continuing to lobby for these bills.”
 Geralynn Kottschade, a member of ASA's board of directors, discusses legislative issues. Listening are former ASA Chairman Jerry Kottschade, center, and U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn. |
Thomas Sullivan, chief counsel for advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), also addressed ASA members. He outlined President George W. Bush's top policy issues for the small business community. Among the administration's priorities are fighting for lower taxes on small business, less government regulation and better access to health care and insurance.
“President Bush is a defender of small business,&3148; Sullivan said.
 ASA Chairman Jim Keller, left, presents U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., petitions supporting H.R. 2735, The Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act. Towns is an original cosponsor of the bill. |
Reporting on public comments President Bush made just days earlier, Sullivan said, “President Bush called on the SBA Office of Advocacy to crack down on federal agencies that make it difficult for small businesses to operate.”
ASA members also heard from Pete Geren, a former U.S. representative from Texas who currently works in the Pentagon as special assistant to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Geren said his first day at the Pentagon was Sept. 4, 2001, one week before Sept. 11.
Most days at the Pentagon begin with a breakfast meeting. Sept. 11 was no different, Geren said.
 Representative Bob Redding greets Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-Washington, D.C., at ASA's Congressional Reception held during this year's annual convention. |
Discussing the ongoing war on terrorism, Geren said the technologies that the Armed Forces are employing are far superior to the technologies available just 10 years ago during Operation Desert Storm. Still, he said, this will be “a long war, a messy war and it's going to get more complicated as we go.”
Quoting the captain of the USS John F. Kennedy, who addressed his troops before deployment into battle, Geren said, "The enemy hates us because we are prosperous, happy, tolerant and, mostly, because we are free. If we don't stop them our children and grandchildren will live their lives in fear. Only America can stop them.
“We will win because we are prosperous, happy, tolerant and free. As Abraham Lincoln said, 'America is the last best hope of the world.'”
 Chaudri (left) and Van Batenburg (right) met with Mass. Rep. James McGovern (center) during the day on Capitol Hill at ASA's Annual Convention. |
But Chaudri said he never sought the spotlight.
“I'm just a common man,” he said. “I feel so uncomfortable being in front of all these people like I'm somebody special, but I'm just a common guy who fixes cars.”
A common guy, who, thanks to assistance from shop owners and businesses across the country, was able to realize a lifelong dream of coming to America to study. Since February, Chaudri has been hosted by the Automotive Career Development Center in Worcester, Mass. Owner Craig Van Batenburg has been one of Chaudri's chief guides on his journey. Chaudri has worked in Van Batenburg's shop and attended classes around the country with him since his arrival.
The two met through the International Automotive Technicians Network (iATN), an Internet site where technicians from all around the world can converse and trade advice for free.
“iATN is all about technicians helping each other, and this is the extreme example of help,” Van Batenburg said.
Part of the purpose of Chaudri's visit is to take what he's learning here back to his fellow technicians in Nepal. His shop is already active in the emissions testing area, and the money they earn from the testing goes to help children with respiratory problems through a charity called Himalayan Healthcare Incorporated.
That goal is just as important to Van Batenburg as it is to Chaudri.
“I think there is a huge need for the United States to tackle worldwide auto emissions,” Van Batenburg said. “This is a global issue. We have more technicians and more producers than anyone else, so I think we have the most responsibility to tackle this issue.”
Training is not the only thing Chaudri is gaining from his stay in the United States. His visit to the annual convention gave him a great appreciation for the power of the American people and of organizations like ASA.
“It was great to see all the members who come to the convention. I think the brotherhood between technicians is the same all over the world,” he said.
He was especially encouraged by the day on Capitol Hill and ASA's advocacy of the information availability bill.
“In my part of the world, we couldn't push that kind of issue like this,” said Chaudri. “I see a lot of dedication here, and I really respect that. I wish we could make things happen like this in our part of the world.”
There are certainly many differences between life in America and in Nepal. Van Batenburg feels that he's experienced culture shock without ever leaving the country thanks to Chaudri's perspective on America.
First, it helps to know a few things about Nepal. Winter temperatures in Kathmandu frequently rest below freezing, and Chaudri's shop consists of outdoor trusses, with room for about 10 cars.
“The second day Irwin was here, he was working in the shop in the lift and the heater was on,” Van Batenburg said. “I said, 'How're you doing?' and he said, 'It's way too comfortable here.' As we were driving home, I said, 'How was your first day?' and he said, 'Something's wrong. I'm not tired.'”
Labor charges are a little different there than they are here. For a haircut, labor costs about 38 cents; for a tuneup, about $4.50; and for an oil change, under $1.
“When he saw the first repair bill that I put together, he looked it over and was shocked. 'You charge this much labor for a timing belt?' he asked,” said Van Batenburg. &3147;'That's six months salary for my technicians in Kathmandu,' he said. Also, Irwin smokes, and after two days he had finished all his cigarettes. He went to the convenience store with a little money and came back with this terrible look. 'Cigarettes are $5 a pack, and I smoke three packs in a day,' he said. 'My entry-level technician does not make enough money in a week to buy a pack of cigarettes.'”
For his part, Chaudri has learned that despite some differences in culture and standard of living, the work is essentially the same.
“I think technicians are technicians anywhere,” he said. “When I first came here, I had the impression that in the U.S., everything would have to be so different. I figured American technicians would be so advanced that Third-World technicians would have to worship them, but we're really the same.&3148;
Attitudes, on the other hand, change with the landscape.
“I find people a lot more stressed here,” he said. “(In Nepal,) we learn to be patient. When it's out of your hands, and you have to wait 90 days for a part, what can you do? There's no point in blowing up. You just smile and go on.”
With all the advantages available in America, Chaudri was surprised about one thing. “Looking at the training opportunities people have here, I think not enough technicians are getting into skill upgrading and going in for training,” he said. “If you had this kind of infrastructure available to people in Nepal, they would jump on it.”
Chaudri is not sure what the future holds for him. Many people are encouraging him to stay in the United States. Certainly the situation in Kathmandu is growing more dangerous. Since the assassination of the Nepali Royal Family two years ago, Maoist violence in the country has increased. Two bombings have occurred dangerously close to Chaudri's shop.
Chaudri himself is torn between the opportunities, both financial and educational, available here, and the relative comforts of home.
“I don't know if (being in America) has changed my life, but I was talking to a friend of mine in California who came from Nepal. She's been here for a year, I've been here for three months. Now that we're here, we realize the small things we had there. Even though we had no money, we could just sit on a hilltop with a cigarette and be happy.
“A lot of people from that part of the world come here and try to make a future for themselves and just get lost in the shuffle here. If you're smart, you can work here for a couple of years and if you have the strength to go back, you can retire and be happy.”
Chaudri posted a thank-you letter on iATN worthy of an Oscar-acceptance speech. iATN can find the message in the April 21 Educator's Forum on www.iatn.net.
Safety inspection was one topic on the Mechanical Division's agenda for the first day of meetings. Among those on hand to discuss this issue with ASA members were Joey Syner, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Phil Recht, former NHTSA general counsel; Lori Cohen, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators; and Larry Hecker, Motorists Assurance Program.
Also on day one, ASA's Mechanical Division looked at future clean air issues. Participants in this discussion included Joe Roos, Ethyl Corp.; Janice Nolan, American Lung Association; Lori Steward, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and John Trajnowski, Ford Motor Co.
Service information and information availability headlined the Mechanical Division's second day of meetings. Representatives from Identifix, Mitchell 1, Alldata and the National Automotive Service Task Force looked at the current and future availability of service information. Service information available from original equipment manufacturer Web sites was demonstrated by representatives from AC Delco, Toyota Motor Sales and Volkswagen/Audi.
The ASA Collision Division began its meetings with a panel discussion on future insurance issues. Panel participants were Frederick Santiago, Maryland Insurance Administration; Marsha McAllister, Insurance Auto Auctions; George Lyle, Virginia Bureau of Insurance; and Robert Hearns, National Association of Independent Insurers.
Paint policy issues comprised the agenda for the Collision Division's second meeting. Making presentations were Dr. Meredith Stowe, Yale University School of Medicine; Jim Sell, National Paint and Coatings Association; Ted Twardowski, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Mary Cushmac, EPA; and Terry Black, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
“Bringing together representatives from the private sector and public sector is one of ASA's unique strengths,” said ASA Chairman Dan Frohlich. “ASA is able to do so because we have been a consistent, reasonable voice representing independent automotive professionals. We realize that gains in areas such as information availability and insurance can best be accomplished through open, honest dialog.
“When Peter Stuyck of Volkswagen/Audi tells ASA members that 80 percent of cars are fixed at independent shops and we absolutely will make available all the tools and information that we make available to our dealer shops,' you realize ASA is making progress that's benefiting all industry professionals.”
John Francis Jr., owner of Francis Automotive Service in West Chester, Pa., was a double winner, receiving both the Legislative Award and the Mechanical Division Alpha Award. The ASA Legislative Award is presented to an individual who has made an impact on legislative and regulatory activities. The Alpha Award recognizes Francis for his extraordinary commitment to the automotive service industry as demonstrated by his business and association involvement.
Mike West, owner of Southowne Auto Rebuild in Tukwila, Wash., received the Collision Division Phoenix Award, recognizing his commitment and dedication to advancing the collision repair industry.
ASA's Communications Department presented the Golden Quill Awards, honoring outstanding communication efforts of individual ASA members and the association's affiliates and chapters. Amy Rae Mullins, an independent business-to-business marketing and design professional from Fort Worth, Texas, judged this year's entries.
SonShine Collision Services Inc. in Kennewick, Wash., owned by Rob Myers, took top prize for shop Web site (www.sonshineauto.com). Another Kennewick shop, Motoring Services, owned by Brian Johnson, won in the television commercial category.
The Golden Quill Award for Chapter and Affiliate Newsletters and Magazines went to “The Driving Force,” published by ASA-Missouri/Kansas. Lewis Maxon is president of ASA-MO/KAN and Sheri Hamilton is the executive director.
The Benefit Partner of the Year award went to Reynolds & Reynolds in appreciation of its long-term relationship with ASA coupled with the price, quality and professional service the company provides ASA members.
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AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol. L, June 2002
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Copyright © 2002 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.