Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-08 March 18, 2004

ASA Launches New Government Affairs Web Site

TakingTheHill.com enhances grassroots effort on federal, state levels

BEDFORD, TEXAS, March 18, 2004 - Focused on a commitment to advance grassroots advocacy campaigns, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) recently launched a new Web site to help mobilize support or dissent for issues directly impacting the automotive repair industry on both federal and state levels. The new site, www.TakingTheHill.com, serves as a sophisticated grassroots program and reference guide for ASA members and other industry professionals.

The core of the new Web site is ASA's new Legislative Alert Center. This feature helps bridge the communication gap between advocates and their elected officials by offering a convenient venue to contact state legislatures, statehouses and the federal government. ASA has adopted a program that allows industry members to contact their representatives regarding specific legislation and, with the click of a button, send an e-mail to their elected officials.

To make the process even easier, ASA has populated the new Legislative Alert Center with messages or talking points for important issues that can be immediately incorporated into the correspondence. Currently, messages can be sent regarding insurer-owned repair facilities, the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, and Association Health Plans (AHPs) legislation.

"The Internet has become a dynamic and integral part of the political process on both federal and state levels," said Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative. "Today's grassroots efforts and advocacy campaigns incorporate online strategies to effectively deliver important messages to representatives around the nation. ASA understands this advancement and has created this new Web site to mobilize constituents on important initiatives impacting our industry."

The new Web site also serves as a reference tool for anyone interested in automotive legislative efforts. Comprehensive legislative reports, historical background on service information availability, and ongoing coverage of insurer-owned shop legislation can be found on the new site.

In addition, ASA has incorporated the latest in database technology to integrate thousands of pages of up-to-date information about visitors' elected officials, including bios, staff listings, and voting records; a complete guide to upcoming elections; and contact information for local media outlets, including newspapers, television and radio.

"ASA has truly stepped up our visibility on the legislative and advocacy front on both the federal and local levels with the implementation of our new grassroots Web site," said Ron Pyle, ASA's president and chief staff executive. "We understand that volunteer legislative advocacy efforts are the most successful when participation is convenient for all parties involved. By initiating this expedient communication tool, we are providing our members and supporters with an even stronger voice on Capitol Hill."

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind, serving more than 12,000 businesses and approximately 70,000 professionals from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. Additional information about ASA, including past news releases, is available on the ASA Web Site on the Internet (http://www.asashop.org).

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