U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita to Receive Magliochetti Industry Champion Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Stu Rothenberg, noted political commentator and publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report, will be among the outstanding speakers at the annual Legislative Summit for motor vehicle parts suppliers on Wednesday, Feb. 29 in Washington, D.C., organized by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) with the support of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). The Summit also will include the presentation of the Joseph M. Magliochetti Industry Champion award to U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.).

“With the increasingly important November elections rapidly approaching, Stu Rothenberg’s insight will help automotive aftermarket suppliers decipher the political landscape,” said Steve Handschuh, AASA president and COO. “His political expertise has made him a frequent guest on programs such as NBC’s Meet the Press and TODAY, ABC’s This Week and Nightline, and The McLaughlin Group.”

Joining Rothenberg on the MEMA Legislative Summit program are Phil English, senior government relations advisor at Arent Fox and seven-term Republican member of the U.S. House representing Western Pennsylvania’s 3rd District; Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM); and Gregory M. Cohen, president, American Highway Users Alliance.

“As AASA members look to key issues for 2013, Phil will offer his insight on tax reform and what suppliers need to do to help achieve meaningful results,” Handschuh noted. “Jay will speak to the supplier industry about NAM’s “Manufacturing Renaissance” initiative on the policies that are needed to make domestic manufacturers globally competitive,” he added.

The MEMA Legislative Summit will begin at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 29, with opening remarks by Bob McKenna, president and CEO of MEMA, and a full agenda of speakers including Rothenberg, English and Cohen. The opening day will close with the annual Congressional Reception & Supplier Fair, attended by elected officials, congressional staff members and representatives of government agencies.

Timmons will open the program on Thursday, March 1, with a breakfast presentation, followed by congressional meetings on Capitol Hill by members of AASA and MEMA affiliate associations. The Summit will conclude with a luncheon and presentation of the Joseph M. Magliochetti Industry Champion award to U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.). Rokita, a first-term congressman, is being honored for his leadership and support of motor vehicle parts suppliers.

“Our members are grateful for your leadership in securing a bipartisan letter to the Government Accountability Office to investigate the federal government’s use of remanufactured products in federal fleets,” MEMA President Bob McKenna stated in his recent letter to Rokita. “Our members strongly support your work on the House Education and Workforce Committee to reign in the recent aggressive actions by the National Labor Relations Board, and commend you for co-authoring the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act and Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act which both passed the House earlier this year.”

“I want to thank the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association for this award and for its efforts to promote policies that will strengthen America’s largest manufacturing sector,” Rokita said. “Your industry is providing hundreds of thousands of quality jobs and the technology that is making today’s vehicles safer and more fuel efficient. Our combined efforts will help keep this important industry and our nation’s economy strong.”

More details on the MEMA Legislative Summit are available at www.mema.org.

About AASA
AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products. It is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is an affiliate of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, The Voice for the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Industry”

About MEMA
Suppliers manufacture the parts and technology used in domestic production of new cars and trucks produced each year, and the aftermarket products necessary to repair and maintain more than 248 million vehicles on the road today.

MEMA supports its members through its four affiliate associations, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). MEMA represents more than 700 member companies with global motor vehicle parts sales exceeding $600 billion and 65 percent of North American automotive supplier sales. For more information on the motor vehicle parts supplier industry, visit www.mema.org.