China's Effect on U.S. Manufacturing: Panel to Address Trade Issues

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., March 30 -- A panel discussion focusing on critical trade issues which affect the automotive supplier industry heads the presentations on Thursday, May 6, 2004, at the MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit: Advancing American Manufacturing, in Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Josette S. Shiner, assistant U.S. trade representative, will be joined by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and Robert Cassidy of Collier Shannon Scott PLLC to discuss trade topics -- in particular China, such as proposals to encourage the revaluation of China's currency, the growing problems of counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations and the outsourcing of U.S. manufacturing jobs.

MEMA will convene the inaugural Legislative and Public Policy Summit on Wednesday and Thursday, May 5-6, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. Members of MEMA's three market segment associations -- the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) -- will be present to educate legislators and regulators on the diverse automotive suppliers industry. The event is sponsored by Foley & Lardner.

Other featured speakers include:

* Rep. John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), chair, Committee on Education and the Workforce

* Larry A. Denton, president and CEO, Dura Automotive Systems Inc. and chairman, OESA

* Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), ranking minority member, Energy and Commerce Committee

* Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm

* Rep. Nancy L. Johnson (R-Conn.), chair, Subcommittee on Health, Committee on Ways and Means

* William Kozyra, president and CEO of Continental Teves North America

* Dr. Jeffrey Runge, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

More information and registration for the Summit are available at the MEMA Web site, http://www.mema.org/public/events/pdf/DC_04_brochure_reg.pdf .

MEMA (www.mema.org ) exclusively serves the aftermarket and original equipment automotive and heavy duty products manufacturing industry. MEMA supports its members through its three market segment associations: Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).