Rep. Knollenberg offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 53.   

            A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact the Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act.

            Whereas, Our nation, the state of Michigan in particular, has been ravaged by economic forces far beyond our control. This has led to historic job losses, falling home values, and the near devastation of our domestic automobile manufacturing industry.  This has had an incomparable impact in the Great Lake State, which has so long depended on the auto industry as the foundation of our economy; and

            Whereas, One of the most unfortunate aspects of the downturn in the automotive industry was the automakers' overzealous reaction in eliminating automobile dealerships across the entire nation. These family businesses have been a key link in the automotive industry, offering sales and service of automobiles, in many cases, for over a century. Indeed, automobile dealerships mean much more than  that. They are the face of the manufacturers, and for many smaller communities, the face of the town. Their contributions to the local economy, support of community interests, and contributions to charitable causes and recreational activities have paid enormous benefits for generations; and

            Whereas, Legislation has been introduced in each house of the United States Congress to provide support for the restoration of many of these automobile franchise agreements. The Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act has been introduced as H.R. 2743 and S. 1304. This important legislation is critical in helping get our automobile dealers back in business while most of  their  businesses' infrastructure is still in place. Clearly, the timely passage of this legislation is critical; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact the Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.