[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF G.W. ``BUD'' MERWIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE BARTON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 1998

  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a small 
businessman and a veteran from my home State of Texas. G.W. ``Bud'' 
Merwin is retiring as the President of the Automotive Services 
Association which is located in my district. The Automotive Services 
Association is the nation's oldest and largest not-for-profit trade 
association representing all segments of the automotive repair industry 
including mechanical, collision, and transmission repair facilities.
  Bud Merwin started as the owner of a full-service mechanical, towing, 
and collision repair business. He graduated from the Institute for 
Organization Management at the University of Delaware and served in the 
United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and is an honor 
graduate of the U.S. Army truck, wheel, and light aircraft repair 
training school.
  In 1971, he launched the very first voluntary automotive technicians' 
certification program, the National Automotive Technicians 
Certification Board. This later merged with Automotive Service 
Excellence that has become the industry standard for quality.
  Bud was a founding board member of the National Automotive 
Technicians Education Foundation, a co-founder of the International 
Autobody Congress and Exposition, and a founding officer of the 
Automotive Service Councils and the Automotive Management Institute.
  G.W. ``Bud'' Merwin has worked throughout his life to protect 
American small business and to ensure excellence in the automotive 
repair community. Although he was not born in Texas, I am glad that he 
and the Automotive Service Association call it home.

                          ____________________