WANADA Bulletin # 26-06 June 29, 2006 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE House Passes Death Tax Compromise Measure Now Goes Back to Uncertain Fate in the Senate ollowing a narrow three-vote defeat (on a there is a $2 million exemption and the top tax F procedural matter) of a Senate Bill calling for rate is 46 percent. permanent repeal of the estate tax, House GOP In pushing for the compromise bill, Rep. leaders facing reelection conceded repeal and, Thomas challenged House members: “Do you instead, chose to lock in permanent estate tax re- want to make a statement, or do you want to lief. By a 269-156 vote last Thursday, the House make law?” Stay tuned. passed a compromise bill (H.R. 5368), sponsored by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill HALL OF FAME CLASSIC Thomas (R-CA). According to NADA, which added its sup- port for the compromise measure, the legislation would: “Increase the exemption to $5 million per person, effective January 1, 2010; make it easier for spouses to claim the exemption; retain the ‘step up in basis’ for heirs; tax estates up to $25 Over 600 participants at last year’s lively Classic ban- million at the capital gains rate, currently 15%; quet raised over $680,000 for the Leukemia and Lym- tax estates of $25 million or more at twice the phoma Society capital gains rate, currently 30%; and if Congress An Event You Don’t Want to Miss! fails to extend the 15% capital gains rate in 2011, The Bobby Mitchell Hall of under the Thomas bill, the estate tax rate would increase to 20% for estates up to $25 million and Fame Classic, July 8 & 9 to 40% for estates $25 million or more.” Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available Auction Items Needed “The real challenge will be to obtain the 60 votes necessary for success in the Senate,” said They will all be there...how about you! NADA. We’re talking 41 Hall of Famers, including Bobby President Bush's first tax cut put the federal Mitchell, , , , Bob estate tax on a declining path through the decade Brown, Joe DeLamielleure, , , and eliminated it in 2010. That law “sunsets” in Wayne Embry, Marques Haynes, , Sam 2011 and the estate tax comes back. In 2006, Huff, , , , Sam Jones, , , , , , , Inside… , Meadowlark Lemon, , Tom TLC/Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Golf Classic....…...p.2 Mack, Mike McCormack, Tommy McDonald, Hugh Cody Lusk Named AIADA President...…....……..p.2 McElhenny, , Anthony Munoz, Joe Dealer Alert: New African Scam…………………..p.2 Perry, , , Oscar Robertson, Practices for Safer Computing..…………………..p.3 , , Bob St. Clair, Charley Tay- Tad Hinder Re-elected to NADA Board for MD...p.3 lor, , Dave Wilcox, and July 4th SoberRide………………………………….p.4 (Continued on page 4) Page 2 WANADA Bulletin #26-06 June 28, 2006 DEALERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT 15th Annual TLC/Courtesy Chrysler-Jeep Golf Classic a Big Success Kudos to Chris Zourdos for a very successful 15th An- nual TLC/Courtesy Chrysler- Jeep Golf Classic, held June 5 at Indian Spring Country Club in Silver Spring, MD. Some 200 golfers participated in this year’s Classic, which raised over $120,000 to benefit The Treatment and Learning Centers (TLC), a Rockville, MD private, non-profit organization that offers educational, therapeutic and vocational services to chil- dren and adults with disabilities. Since 1991, the tournament has raised more than $1 million for TLC. “TLC is doing great things for this community, said Zour- dos, owner of Courtesy Chrysler-Jeep and title sponsor of the Classic, TLC’s signature event. “We are proud to support Chris Zourdos (center) with Sports Talk them and to help improve the resources available for children 980’s Al Koken (left) and TLC Executive Director Richard Pavlin at the 15th Annual and adults with disabilities.” TLC/Courtesy Chrysler-Jeep Golf Classic. The event included the golf tournament as well as a silent auction and awards dinner. Special guest Al Koken of SportsTalk 980 was on hand throughout the day and delivered the keynote address at the post-tournament dinner. Enclosed, FYI, is a TLC publication praising Chris and his dad, the late Peter Zourdos, for their many contributions.

Administration serving under Secretary of Commerce Cody Lusk Named AIADA President Don Evans, where he worked as liaison between Capi- The American International tol Hill and the Secretary of Commerce on all interna- Automobile Dealers Association tional trade-related issues. announced that Cody Lusk will be its new president, effective June 19, 2006. Lusk, a senior Capitol Hill aide and former Bush Ad- ministration official, served as AIADA Legislative Affairs Direc- Dealer Alert: New African Scam tor from 1995-2001. A dealership in Fairfax County has alerted “Cody is a very capable leader WANADA that a person claiming to be a minister in and friend of our industry, with Minnesota tried to buy used cars for shipment to an- an extensive background in free Cody Lusk other minister in Ghana, West Africa using a fraudu- trade and other international lent driver’s license (with an expiration date of auto-related issues,” said AIADA Chairman Don 18/08/2011) in the name of the Reverend Edward Beyer. “He brings to the table a unique skill set and Willford. knowledge base encompassing this industry, the Ad- The call came into the dealership through a ministration and Capitol Hill. I am delighted he is third party interpreter service, which, during one of the returning to the AIADA team.” calls, warned the dealership that “this is an illegal Lusk, called his return to AIADA “a tremendous transaction please hang up.” Also, the fax number opportunity.” He most recently served as chief of staff given by the would-be purchaser turned out to be a to Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX), a senior member of the prison in Texas. House Ways and Means Committee and a Subcommit- WANADA member dealers should alert em- tee Chairman on the Education and Workforce Com- ployees to take care so they know who they’re doing mittee. business with. Prior to that, Lusk was an appointee of the Bush WANADA Bulletin #26-06 June 28, 2006 Page 3 NADA MONTHLY DEALER OPERATIONS COMMENTARY Practices for Safer Computing

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is launching a new campaign to educate consumers on the dangers of identity theft. NADA is a partner with the FTC in this effort, working to educate dealers and their customers on best practices for protecting personal information, particularly online. To help them spot and avoid online fraud and deception, the FTC recommends that Internet users adopt the following safer practices: 1. Know who you’re dealing with. Do business only with companies that plainly provide their name, street address, and phone number. 2. Protect your personal information. Share credit card or other personal information only when buying from a company you know and trust. Don’t share any personal information unless you know how it will be used and protected. And don’t reply to or click on links in any email asking for your personal information. 3. Use anti-virus software and a firewall, and update them regularly. Look for anti-virus software that rec- ognizes current viruses, as well as older ones; effectively reverses the damage; and updates automatically. If your firewall was shipped in the “off” mode, turn it on, and be sure to set it up properly. 4. Be sure to set up your operating system and Web browser software properly, and update them regu- larly. Select security settings high enough to reduce your risk of being hacked. Make sure to regularly update your system with the latest patches. 5. Protect your passwords. Keep your passwords in a secure place, and don’t share them on the Internet, over email, or on the phone. 6. Back up important files. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc, and store it in a safe place. 7. Learn who to contact if something goes wrong online. If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to 1-877-FTC-HELP or www.ftc.gov. You’ll be providing important information to help law enforcement officials track down and stop scam artists. You can also go to OnGuardOnline.gov, a site maintained by the FTC in partnership with other government agencies, Internet safety and help groups, and consumer organiza- tions. Click on “File a Complaint” to learn how to respond if problems occur when you’re online. OnGuardOnline.gov also provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. This article is adapted from materials provided by the FTC (www.ftc.gov/idtheft) and by OnGuar- dOnline.gov. Consumer materials in Spanish are available at www.ftc.gov/ojo.

Tad Hinder Re-elected to NADA Board for MD

The Maryland Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) recently announced that Joseph F. (Tad) Hinder Jr., president of Hinders Lincoln-Mercury-Isuzu in Bel Air, MD, and Hinder Mo- tors Inc. in Aberdeen, MD, has been re-elected to the NADA Board of Directors representing Maryland. This will be his third three-year term. “I appreciate the opportunity to represent the dealers of Maryland and the confidence they have placed in me,” said Hinder. I would like to thank each and every Maryland dealer for their support and look forward to working with them on the national dealer agenda going forward. ” A graduate of Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, MD and a dealer since 1972, Hinder has served as treasurer of the Bel Air New Car Dealers, vice president and treasurer of MADA, and as a member of the Lincoln Mercury and Isuzu national dealer councils. He is also an active member in Kiwanis, the Upper Chesapeake Health Systems Foundation and the Greater Harford Committee. Hinder will continue to serve at NADA with Geoff Pohanka, Pohanka Automotive, who represents Metropolitan Washington and Mike Martin, Dudley Martin Chevrolet, who represents Virginia. Page 4 WANADA Bulletin #26-06 June 28, 2006 BOBBY MITCHELL HALL OF FAME CLASSIC (Continued from page 1) who will be the stars at the “Sweet 16” Bobby Mitchell/Toyota Hall of Fame Classic sponsored by Washington Area Auto Dealers, at the Lansdowne Re- sort, July 8 & 9. This is the big summer event where area dealers take center stage on a highly visible, fun weekend, all for a great cause. Last year, more than 600 par- ticipants raised a record $680,000 for leukemia and lymphoma research. This year organizers are looking to raise $1 million, but we need your help. Time is running short, but there are still opportunities for dealers MC Paul Berry (“This is what it’s and kindred-line members to participate in this worthwhile and highly all about, folks.”) with last year’s Leukemia survivors. enjoyable event. Sponsorships at various levels are still available, as well as the need for a wide variety of auction items, ranging from gift certificates and tickets to sports events /concerts to electronic and computer equipment. For more information on participation and sponsorship opportunities for this year’s Hall of Fame Classic, contact Hall of Fame Co-Chair Tamara Darvish at (301) 622-0300. And please make your commitment today!

Have a Safe July 4th Holiday, Call SoberRide Independence Day is a great time to celebrate America. Unfortunately, it is also this country’s second deadliest holiday for drunk driving. To help keep our streets as safe as possible, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s (WRAP) 2006 Independence Day SoberRide service will be offered from 4:00 pm on Tues- day, July 4th to 4:00 am, Wednesday, July 5th. To receive a free cab ride home (up to a $50.00 fare), area residents age 21 and older who are celebrating with alcohol may call the toll-free SoberRide number 1-800-200-TAXI (or #8294 [TAXI] on your Cingular telephone). Please note: At this time the SoberRide line is only able to accept calls from cell phones with a DC, Maryland, or Virginia area code number and any local landline or pay phone. Founded in 1982, the WANADA-sponsored SoberRide program is one of the nation’s most successful safety programs to prevent drunk and drugged driving.

An Historical Reflection on the 4th of July…

The last and 63rd article of the Magna Carta:

LXIII. Wherefore, we will, and firmly order that… the men in our kingdom have and hold the aforesaid… liberties, rights, and concessions...for themselves and their heirs, in all respects... forever… - John, by the Grace of God, King of England, June 15, 1216 Runnymede

A Conclusion from the American Declaration of Independence:

A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. - Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776 in reference to George III, King of Great Britain