On July 8, 2011, SEMA members joined with SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts across the country to celebrate the second annual Collector Car Appreciation Day. More than 200 events—double last year’s total—were held in the United States and Canada to commemorate the day, which had been designated as the result of a SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution (S. Res. 154) sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). The resolution recognizes “that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.”

They arrived at the Cocoa Beach Cruise Night in their gleaming ’66 Chevelle Malibu. Bill and Katie Posey were excited to help kick-off the first leg of the Hot Rod Power Tour with a barbecue before the next day’s drive to Valdosta, Georgia. They were with friends and fellow enthusiasts, and it was the perfect occasion to announce Posey’s new leadership position in Washington.

Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) has always been a strong advocate on behalf of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. In his free time outside of Washington, Rep. Posey can be found turning the wrenches on his cars in his Florida home district. When in Washington, Posey affirms his love for motorsports with photos of his cars and his racing days in his office on Capitol Hill. Being named co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus is a natural fit for him.

Auto Meter Products recently welcomed U.S. Congressman Randy Hultgren (R-IL) for a tour of its headquarters in Sycamore, Illinois. Auto Meter officials had already developed a working relationship with Rep. Hultgren, having hosted a previous visit and attending several other functions before last year’s election. This tour was part of SEMA’s District Site Visits Program, which connects lawmakers with SEMA members.

One of the fundamental components of last year’s health care law is the creation of health care “exchanges.” While the law itself remains mired in controversy and threats of repeal, the state-based programs, if and when fully implemented, should make it easier for small-business owners and individuals to compare and select health care coverage. Exchanges are intended to create a competitive marketplace and increase access to affordable health care insurance.

SEMA has called upon the U.S. Congress to prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from moving forward with its program to allow the ethanol content in gasoline to increase from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15). SEMA worked with lawmakers and senior staff to help secure House approval of an EPA restriction as part of a 2011 federal government funding measure.

SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) councils announced July 8, 2011 as Collector Car Appreciation Day. The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. SEMA and its councils are now working to secure a Congressional resolution to recognize the day’s significance.

After an exciting competition late last year, the Street Performance Council (SPC) Select Committee earned the distinction of winning the 2010 SEMA Political Action Committee (PAC) Council Challenge. The contest ran between August and October, and the winner was the council Select Committee that was both 100% “PAC approved” and contributed the highest dollar amount.

Congressman Steve Cohen took a few hours out of his busy August schedule to visit with management and employees at the COMP Cams’ headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. Rep. Cohen participated in a roundtable discussion about small-business issues with COMP’s executive team and then toured the facility, including the machine shop and research and development (R&D) department.

More members of Congress than ever are aligning themselves with the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers on Capitol Hill established to raise awareness of the economic importance of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.

As the political climate continues to evolve in advance of the 2010 elections, SEMA members arrived in Washington, D.C., for the biennual SEMA Washington Rally.