Reps. Meltzer, LeBlanc, Lori, Walsh, McMillin, Wayne Schmidt, Horn, Agema, Opsommer, Proos, Meadows, Rick Jones and Genetski offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 40

            A resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to give fair consideration to all facets of the domestic automotive industry in the distribution of the $5 billion federal auto supplier TARP funding, and to enact an oversight mechanism to assure that the funds are fairly distributed.

Whereas, Our domestic automobile industry has been the focus of much of the economic revitalization activity in Congress. While the health and well-being of the automotive industry is a key to our nation's, and, in particular, Michigan's economic recovery, attention should be paid to all facets of the automotive manufacturing process. For example, the production from our local tool, die, and mold shops is one of the first steps in the development of new and redesigned products that ultimately grace the showroom floor.  Due to the fact that their contribution to the process takes place up to 24 months or more in advance of motor vehicle production, auto supplier TARP funds may take months to trickle down to the tool, die, and mold shops, and may not reach down to that level at all; and

Whereas, The tool, die, and mold industry plays a key role in the automotive manufacturing industry. As has the entire domestic automotive industry, the domestic tooling, machining, and molding industries have been also hard hit by the tumultuous forces of foreign competition, rapidly escalating materials costs, and tight credit. This has resulted in job losses and economic hardships throughout the entire automotive and related industries. Indeed, in Michigan, tool, die, and mold employment peaked around 1998, and, by 2003 it had lost over 30,000 jobs. Many of the companies threatened are higher wage, mom and pop operations scattered throughout every corner of the state; and

Whereas, Clearly, as the entire automotive industry is striving to keep its head above water, it is incumbent on Washington to recognize that all facets of the industry are struggling. Congress must assure that these auto supplier TARP payments flow to the manufacturers and their first suppliers and on down to our tool, die, and mold operations in Michigan; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to give fair consideration to all facets of the domestic automotive industry in the distribution of the $5 billion federal auto supplier TARP funding, and to enact an oversight mechanism to ensure that the funds are fairly distributed; 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.