Modesto Auto Dealer and State Chairman to Be Honored at 10th Annual Multicultural Prism Awards Gala

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 7, 2005 -- The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) is pleased to announce that Minorities in Business Magazine Inc. (MIB) has selected Ed Fitzpatrick, Chairman of CMCDA and a Modesto auto dealer to receive the MIB Entrepreneurial Spirit Award at the 10th Annual Multicultural Prism Awards Gala, Thursday, December 15, 2005 at the Universal City Hilton, in Universal City, Ca. from 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. The awards gala will celebrate and honor outstanding artists, celebrities, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporations who set trends, make history and act as ambassadors whose direct efforts encourage positive change in their businesses and communities.

Ed Fitzpatrick is one of California's most successful African-American new car dealers. Fitzpatrick graduated from Ohio University in 1964, taught sixth grade for four years and then was hired on as a management trainee at Chrysler Corp. where he spent 11 years in various jobs. He later worked for Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. and Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., managing dealer development and placements.

After 17 years with auto makers, he bought into a Chrysler Plymouth dealership in Renton, WA. He now owns Valley Lexus, Valley BMW and Valley Infiniti in Modesto, Ca, and Coliseum Lexus of Oakland, Ca. Fitzpatrick has been a dealer now for 20 years, and travels extensively as a renowned dealer and state association Chairman.

"It is an honor to be selected for this prestigious award that serves to acknowledge my career and contributions to the auto industry," said Ed Fitzpatrick. "Auto dealers are among the finest people in the world. They are committed to their associates, customers, communities and the United States of America. I'm proud to be a dealer and wouldn't want to be anything else."

This year's 10th Annual Multicultural Prism Awards Gala reaches a milestone, and will benefit displaced children through the Katrina Missing Children's Coalition. This year's theme, Tragedy to Triumph, "Hollywood Cares!" aims to support those affected by the physical and economic devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. In addition the Prism Awards will present a check benefiting the thousand of children displaced or orphaned by Hurricane Katrina, to Congresswoman Maxine Waters, as well as Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children's Defense Fund.

About CMCDA

The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) is the nation's largest state trade association of franchised new car dealers with over 1,400 members. CMCDA members are primarily engaged in the retail sale and lease of new vehicles, and also engage in automotive service, repair and part sales. CMCDA promotes fair and ethical business practices through a wide range of educational programs, services and industry publications. For more information, visit CMCDA's Web site: www.cmcda.org.