October 21, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2591 Description: Continue the evaluation of New played under the legendary Coach Paul Judge Hobbs is married and has two chil- Jersey’s coastal projects, including the dif- ‘‘Bear’’ Bryant. After graduating from the Uni- dren and seven grandchildren with one on the ferent reaches of beach replenishment versity of Alabama in 1963 with a degree in way and is a member of the Brushy Creek projects, as a system to ensure maximum business administration, Jim entered the U.S. Baptist Church. benefits are achieved from the Federal invest- Army and served as a second lieutenant in f ment and reduce long-term periodic nourish- Germany. He was later promoted to captain ment costs. after being reassigned to Fort Campbell, Ken- SUPPORT THE MOTOR VEHICLE Financial Statement: New Jersey Depart- tucky. OWNERS RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT ment of Environmental Protection is the non- After an honorable discharge, Jim worked Federal sponsor and provides their portion of for his father at Trail Cadillac-Pontiac before HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS the study costs. starting on his own dealership, Trail Pontiac OF NEW YORK f on Dauphin Street. Later, Jim acquired the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mercedes-Benz and GMC Truck franchises, Wednesday, October 21, 2009 HONORING POLICE CHIEF MICHAEL which he eventually merged with his brother’s J. CARROLL Cadillac dealership, forming McConnell Auto- Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today motive Corporation. Jim was also a partner in to discuss a problem that many of us, and HON. JIM GERLACH the new Mercedes-Benz of Mobile. many of our constituents, often face, a prob- OF PENNSYLVANIA Jim served on the General Motors Dealer lem that be easily resolved with legislation that NNA SHOO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Advisory Board and as president of the Buick- I, joined by Representatives A E and Pontiac-GMC area marketing group for 20 GEORGE MILLER, have reintroduced. HR 2057, Wednesday, October 21, 2009 years. He received numerous awards as a The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise General Motors Master Dealer and Mercedes Act, ensures that motoring consumers have today along with my colleagues representing Benz Diamond Dealer. He was a member of the ability to choose where, how and by whom Chester County, Congressmen JOE PITTS and the Red Elephant Club, served on the Senior they have their vehicles repaired and serviced, JOE SESTAK, to congratulate West Goshen Bowl committee and was active in a number even those recently out of warranty. Township Police Chief Michael J. Carroll on of other civic and community organizations. In Vehicles that are 1994 and newer are his induction as President of the International short, Jim McConnell was always giving back equipped with computers that control most of Association of Police Chiefs in Denver, Colo- to the city he loved and called home. the vehicles’ systems, from air bags and rado on October 7, 2009. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join brakes, to tire pressure, oil changes, elec- The tremendous honor of being selected by me in remembering a dedicated and generous tronics, ignition systems and keys. In fact, his peers to lead the 106-year-old nonprofit or- community leader and a dear friend to many. there are more computers on today’s vehicles ganization that promotes professionalism and Jim McConnell will be deeply missed by his than were on the Apollo 11 moon mission. global policing is just the latest accomplish- family—his wife, Cynde; his sons, Mitch Independent repair shops, which comprise a ment in Chief Carroll’s distinguished 43-year McConnell, Stan McConnell, Vince McConnell large number of the small businesses in all of law enforcement career. He is a Past Presi- and Baker McConnell; his mother, Mary Lou- our districts, are experiencing a great deal of dent of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police As- ise McConnell; his brother Eddie McConnell; difficulty in locating and obtaining the informa- sociation and Chester County Police Chiefs his sister, Mary Lou Layden; and his four tion, tools and software needed to completely Associations and has been inducted into the grandchildren—as well as his many friends, repair late model vehicles. These shops often International Police Association Hall of Fame. colleagues, and patrons. must turn away their valued customers, forcing The lengthy list of accolades is a testament Mobile—and indeed our entire state—lost a them to return to new car dealerships, which, to Chief Carroll’s outstanding leadership and true leader for our area and our thoughts and on average, are 34 percent more expensive. commitment to the department he runs and prayers are with this family at this difficult Not only is that a loss of business for the over the community he protects. He has earned the time. 200,000 independent repair shops in our na- respect of his fellow officers for his passion for f tion, but it is a financial burden for our con- stituents. police work, determination to solve even the RECOGNIZING JUDGE JUDY I have heard several complaints in my office most difficult cases and drive to provide the SCHIER HOBBS highest-quality training and resources for all of problems that independent repair shops officers. have experienced in repairing later model ve- Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues HON. JOHN R. CARTER hicles. One independent aftermarket techni- join me today in honoring Police Chief Michael OF TEXAS cian in New York was attempting to diagnose IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES J. Carroll for earning this prestigious inter- a Subaru and was told that the car company national post and for his exemplary service to Wednesday, October 21, 2009 would not sell the independent repair shop the the residents of Chester County, Pennsyl- Mr. CARTER. Madam Speaker, I would like proper tools needed to diagnose and repair a vania. to recognize the Honorable Judy Schier drivability problem. f Hobbs, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 in Another New York repair shop was told they Williamson County, who was awarded ‘‘Judge would have to wait up to two days to obtain HONORING THE MEMORY OF of the Year’’ by the Texas Justice Court the software from Ford needed to update the JAMES VINCENT MCCONNELL, JR. Judges Association (TJCJA) at their annual computer on a Ford Escape. The repairer had 2009 Education Conference in Austin, Texas. to pay for towing and then pay the new car HON. JO BONNER The state-wide award was presented at the dealership a fee. OF ALABAMA Awards Luncheon during the four-day con- I have another example from Massachu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ference at the Austin Hyatt Regency on Lady setts. But you get the point. 82% of car owners and 94% of independent Wednesday, October 21, 2009 Bird Lake. Texas Justice Court Judges Association is repair shops indicate that they favor the pas- Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, earlier this an organization representing Justice Court sage of this bill. It allows repair shops to offer week the city of Mobile lost a dear friend and Judges and Clerks across the State of Texas. their clients better service and doesn’t cost the a respected leader and I rise today to honor Judge Hobbs was awarded the ‘‘Judge of taxpayers or the government any money. In- Mr. James Vincent ‘‘Jim’’ McConnell Jr. and the Year’’ by the Central Texas Justices of the stead, it’s a way that we can provide afford- pay tribute to his memory. Jim was a success- Peace and Constables Association earlier this able choices to car owners who continue to ful businessman, an active citizen and a dedi- year. struggle in this difficult economy. cated soldier who years earlier answered his Judge Hobbs is a lifelong resident of Pre- The car companies have argued that this bill country’s call to serve. He will be remembered cinct Four in Williamson County with a rich would lead to infringements on their intellec- as a man devoted to his family, his country history of community service and was ap- tual property. HR 2057 does NOT request or and his community. pointed and sworn to office May 15, 1982. require proprietary information and I have in- A native of Pensacola, Jim moved to Mobile She is a Lifetime member of the Texas Justice serted language to ensure that. Similar legisla- as a teenager and graduated from Murphy Court Judges Association and Central Texas tion has been passed in the California state High School. He received a football scholar- Justices of the Peace and Constables Asso- legislature, and there were no breaches of ship to the University of Alabama in 1959 and ciation. proprietary information; the only result was VerDate Nov 24 2008 04:06 Oct 22, 2009 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K21OC8.004 E21OCPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with REMARKS E2592 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 21, 2009 that emissions systems were repaired faster TRIBUTE TO BETTY TAYMOR vention. One such company is O’Fallon Cast- and better. It’s time that Congress keep our ing; located in my district, they will celebrate motoring constituents in the drivers’ seat when HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO their 6-year anniversary on Friday October 23. it comes to repairing their vehicles, and it’s OF MASSACHUSETTS Once a division of Hitchiner Manufacturing, Co. O’Fallon Casting has roots dating back 40 time we helped ensure the economic survival IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the small, independent repair shops that years in Missouri. But today it has shed its tra- Wednesday, October 21, 2009 have been so good to our constituents.