April 8, 2008
Support Affordable Repair Parts!
Please Cosponsor H.R. 5638!
Dear Representative:
On behalf of RetireSafe’s nearly 400,000 senior citizen supporters across America, I strongly urge you to cosponsor H.R. 5638, a critical consumer bill recently introduced by your colleague, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. This important legislation will stop the menacing car company monopoly on common repair parts, a monopoly that severely impacts older Americans.
H.R. 5638 would amend Title 35, U.S. Code (Patents) to provide a design patent exemption for alternative repair parts used for the purpose of repairing a vehicle to its original appearance. Created to preserve competition in the automotive aftermarket collision parts industry, this bill will provide protection for millions of consumers. RetireSafe joins numerous consumer groups to urge your strong support for H.R. 5638.
Fixed-income senior citizens simply can’t afford a car company monopoly on common repair parts. The resulting increase in insurance costs alone might well put an end to the crucial freedom that millions of our nation’s seniors enjoy from owning and operating their own motor vehicles. Along with higher energy and food prices, all American consumers will now face sharply escalating car repair costs and spiking car insurance premiums – all brought on by a car company repair parts monopoly.
H.R. 5638 would exempt the exterior aftermarket repair parts that are far from unique – parts like bumpers, hoods, lights, fenders, and grills. These are safe aftermarket parts of like kind and quality to the original parts – as proven by extensive testing. These common aftermarket repair parts are, while equal in quality, far less costly than the original equipment parts from the car companies. Europe has already acted on this issue, and we think our consumers deserve to choose as well. H.R. 5638 will protect their right to do so.
Again, RetireSafe urges you to join your colleagues in cosponsoring H.R. 5638. Please stand up for America’s seniors and all consumers by adding your name to this important legislation. Please cosponsor H.R. 5638 today!
Sincerely,
Michelle Plasari
President
| 
