New York and West Virginia proclaim Friday, July 13 Car Collector Appreciation Day

Started three years ago at the request of car enthusiasts the nation over, Car Collector Appreciation Day is set to take place again this Friday, July 13.

The event aims to bring awareness to the role that automotive restoration and collection plays in American society, as the industry provides for a number of high-paying jobs that require a special set of skills, making its contribution all the more important in today's economy.

Since its introduction, the day of official recognition for this segment of the auto industry has received support from interest groups like the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), which has worked with the U.S. Senate to designate a day in honor of the event for the last two years.

However, prior to this year, only two states, New Mexico and Hawaii, formally adopted resolutions memorializing the day.

This changed in 2012 due to the efforts of New York State Assemblyman Bill Reilich and West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell. Both of the legislators' respective states officially recognized this year's celebration, bringing the total number of states honoring the event to four.

Each legislator is involved in the automotive industry. According to SEMA, Reilich owns and operates a retailer of auto display stands, while Howell owns a business that provides performance parts for domestic and imported vehicles.

The U.S. Senate formally recognized the resolution for this year's event, Resolution 452, after this release at the request of SEMA. By continuing to approve these resolutions, the Senate could ensure that more states continue to honor Car Collector Appreciation Day.

The bill also called for Americans to engage in events and commemorations on the day as a way to spread more awareness. For information on how to publicize an event you're holding, contact SEMA's government affairs office for more information.

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