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2018 SESSION

18107721D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 215
Offered March 1, 2018
Commending the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association.
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Patrons-- Cosgrove, Barker, Black, Carrico, Chafin, Chase, Dance, Deeds, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hanger, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McDougle, McPike, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Peake, Petersen, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Spruill, Stanley, Stuart, Sturtevant, Suetterlein, Surovell, Vogel, Wagner and Wexton; Delegates: Adams, D.M., Austin, Bagby, Boysko, Bulova, Carr, Cole, Delaney, Fowler, Heretick, Hope, Hurst, Ingram, Knight, Krizek, Landes, Leftwich, Lindsey, Morefield, Mullin, Orrock, Pogge, Rasoul, Sullivan, Thomas, Turpin and Ware
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WHEREAS, the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, a business organization that represents franchised new car and truck dealers across the Commonwealth, celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2018; and

WHEREAS, formed in 1943, the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association (VADA) was originally known as the Automotive Trade Association of Virginia before adopting its current name in 1974; and

WHEREAS, the over 600 new car and truck dealer members at the time of VADA’s founding included seven members of the Virginia House of Delegates and one member of the Senate of Virginia, with that Senator serving on the VADA Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, founded during a year in which there were no new car or truck sales due to World War II, VADA was formed for the purposes of advocating for the automobile dealer industry and serving the insurance needs of its members; and

WHEREAS, VADA has grown as an organization and now includes several subsidiaries, including the Virginia Automobile Dealers Services Corporation, the VADA Education Foundation, the Virginia Auto and Truck Dealers Political Action Committee, and the VADA Group Self Insurance Association, which provides workers’ compensation insurance to dealers; and

WHEREAS, during its 75 years in operation, VADA has been led by four presidents: John Raine, Charlie McFee, Ron Nowland, and current president Don Hall; and

WHEREAS, Don Hall has served as VADA president since 1996, reporting to a 30-member Board of Directors and leading a staff of more than 34 people; and

WHEREAS, VADA recognizes the value of the generations of its members who have served on its Board of Directors, including a past chairman who was the third generation of his family to lead the association and two current Board members who represent the fourth generation of their families to serve on the Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, an active and dedicated representative of the industry, VADA is a leader in cooperative programming for its dealer members; and

WHEREAS, recognizing the need to develop the talents of the next generation to enter the auto industry, VADA is a nationwide leader in the Automotive Youth Education Systems program, which trains high school students in automotive technology and repair; the program has enrolled more than 3,000 students in Virginia high schools since it began in 2000; and

WHEREAS, VADA also runs the Greater Richmond New Car Dealers Association and has overseen its annual auto show for more than 25 years, spearheading the efforts of dealers in the Richmond area to contribute to organizations in the community such as the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, FeedMore, and Richmond Fisher House; and

WHEREAS, VADA is committed to innovation rooted in tradition and supports the development and implementation of new technologies that enhance safety, provides transportation alternatives such as electric and fuel cell vehicles, and improves the consumer buying experience; and

WHEREAS, VADA takes great pride in its history, yet recognizes the importance of looking to the future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for its dedication to its members and its support for a robust and innovative automobile industry in the Commonwealth.