[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO FRANK E. McCARTHY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DON SHERWOOD

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform my colleagues of the 
recent passing of Frank E. McCarthy, the President of the National 
Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). Frank died on February 25 as a 
result of complications from his battle with kidney cancer.
  Before my election to Congress, I was a franchised new car dealer and 
a member of NADA, so I can personally attest to the role that Frank 
McCarthy played as an automotive industry leader for more than three 
decades. Dealers, automotive executives, and policymakers alike will 
miss his determination, reasoned voice, and knowledge of the industry. 
NADA is the Voice of the Dealers and for 33 years Frank McCarthy was 
the heart of NADA.
  Frank had been the chief executive of NADA since 1968, making him one 
of the deans of the trade association community in the nation's 
capital. To put his service in perspective, Frank assumed the helm of 
NADA when Lyndon Johnson was President and the 1968 Ford Galaxie was 
the best selling car in America. During his entire tenure, Frank 
enjoyed the utmost respect among Members of Congress, professional 
staff, and his colleagues in the private sector.
  On behalf of dealers, Frank built strong relationships with the 
automobile manufacturers. He had a unique abilty to convey the concerns 
of the franchised dealers directly and concisely without sacrificing 
civility or professionalism. Under his leadership, NADA has become one 
of the largest trade associations in the United States, providing a 
wide variety of services to dealers and their more than one million 
employees. In all of these efforts, Frank was the consumate team 
player, always seeking credit for others rather than himself.
  Despite Frank's extraordinary professional accomplishments, he never 
lost sight of what is truly important in life. During the eulogies 
delivered at his funeral earlier this month, his family and colleagues 
spoke eloquently about the balance in Frank's life. His deep faith was 
a guiding force in his approach to life, and his professional 
responsibilities never overshadowed his commitment to his wife, Pat, 
and their five children and 12 grandchildren. In that regard, Frank 
McCarthy was a role model to working men and women in all walks of 
life.
  At this time, we all feel a tremendous sense of loss, but also 
reflect with great affection and gratitude for his contributions to the 
industry and his community.

                          ____________________