[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 174 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 174

    Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should 
recognize the importance of auto dealerships to communities across the 
country by encouraging remedies for those franchises eliminated during 
                 recent car manufacturer bankruptcies.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2009

 Mr. Issa (for himself and Mr. Smith of Texas) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 
                              and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should 
recognize the importance of auto dealerships to communities across the 
country by encouraging remedies for those franchises eliminated during 
                 recent car manufacturer bankruptcies.

Whereas car dealerships have a long established and important relationship with 
        communities across the country;
Whereas car dealerships employ over 1,000,000 people nationwide with each 
        dealership employing an average of 55 people;
Whereas car dealerships sponsor many community events in each of the communities 
        in which they serve;
Whereas the owners of car dealerships made large investments and other 
        sacrifices in establishing and building their businesses, sometimes for 
        generations;
Whereas the global financial collapse affected every industry dependent upon 
        consumer purchasing, and none more so than new car sales;
Whereas General Motors and Chrysler entered bankruptcy proceedings and dissolved 
        numerous dealership franchises claiming doing so was needed to preserve 
        the manufacturers' long-term viability;
Whereas many of the dissolved dealerships had histories of strong sales, even up 
        until their dissolution;
Whereas many of the dissolved dealerships wished to stay in business;
Whereas experienced dealerships provide expertise and leadership for the 
        manufacturer they represent;
Whereas the dissolved dealerships had an innate value in reputation, brand, and 
        territory;
Whereas upon dissolution this value was transferred to remaining franchisees for 
        no consideration;
Whereas the Federal Government now owns a significant interest in both General 
        Motors and Chrysler; and
Whereas Congress recognizes the inherit unfairness, without sufficient process, 
        of the dissolution of these franchises: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that the President should work to find 
creative and constructive remedies that are mutually beneficial to both 
the auto manufacturers and injured parties.
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