[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1434-E1435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, this year is the Centennial of automobile 
production in America.
  At a gala held on June 22, 1996, the Mayor of Detroit, Dennis Archer, 
spoke eloquently about the impact of the automotive industry, of the 
role of management and labor in its development, and of the place it 
carved out for Detroit in this Nation's and the global economy.
  It is my pleasure to insert his prepared remarks in the Congressional 
Record.

      American Automobile Centennial Gala, Saturday, June 22, 1996

       Thank you very much, distinguished head table guests, 
     ladies and gentleman. I want to thank Keith Crain, who 
     shortly after I became mayor, came by the office and said, 
     ``In about two years, we're going to be celebrating 100 
     magnificent years of the automobile, and I think we ought to 
     do something about it.''
       I said, ``Keith, you're absolutely right. Thanks for being 
     my next dollar-a-year guy. Would you please take charge of 
     it, and by the way, I want you to work with my point person, 
     Maud Lyon, who is the city's director of the Historical 
     Museum.''
       Keith, you and Maud came together with everybody to make 
     this happen. It wasn't just you that could create this 
     beautiful room with all of these magnificent people who are 
     here, but the sponsors--those of you who gave and contributed 
     generously, and to the committee, I want to say thank you 
     very much.
       Second, I am pleased to bring a message from a friend that 
     I was with earlier today in

[[Page E1435]]

     Cleveland Ohio, as the United States Conference of Mayors was 
     meeting.
       He writes:
       ``I am delighted to join my fellow Americans in observing 
     June 16-23 as National American Automobile Centennial Week. 
     More than any other invention in the past century, the 
     automobile has shaped and defined America. Even as it has 
     helped our nation to grow, the car has brought people closer 
     together, advancing commerce and communication, and 
     connecting our cities, suburbs and small towns on an 
     intricate web of highways and roads. In the 100 years since 
     the production of the first motor wagons, the automobile 
     industry has become a source of pride for Americans and an 
     inspiration for entrepreneurs around the globe.
       ``The car is now an inseparable part of our culture. Our 
     poets, our songwriters speak of the joys of the open road. 
     And for millions of us, the automobile embodies America's 
     freedoms of mobility and expression. This week offers us a 
     special opportunity to honor the pioneers of automotive 
     engineering and the automotive workers who helped build this 
     remarkable industry and make the American dream of a better 
     life come true.
       ``As we celebrate the remarkable automotive achievements of 
     our past, let us salute, as well, the work of the engineers 
     who are developing the next generation of vehicles--the cars 
     we will be driving in the 21st century. These dreamers and 
     doers are continuing a legacy of progress: innovation, 
     employment and competitiveness that have marked America's 
     automobile industry since its birth 100 years ago.
       ``Best wishes to all for a wonderful Centennial Celebration 
     and a memorial week.''--President Bill Clinton.
       Next, and finally, I would like to ask Robert J. Eaton, 
     Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Corporation; Carolyn 
     Forrest, Vice President, International Union, UAW; John F. 
     Smith, Jr., Chairman, CEO & President, General Motors 
     Corporation; and Alex Trotman, Chairman and CEO, Ford Motor 
     Company, if you would join me here at the podium.
       The United States automobile industry celebrates its 100th 
     anniversary this year, and it is only fitting that Detroit, 
     the world's motor capital, serves as a national headquarters 
     for this historic event. From June 16-23, Detroit will 
     showcase one of the largest gatherings of antique and classic 
     automobiles ever, along with the most spectacular automotive 
     parade in a half century.
       As the birthplace of the global automobile industry, 
     Detroit acknowledges its legacy as a city that profoundly 
     shaped the American lifestyle and changed the culture of the 
     20th century. Appropriately nicknamed ``The Motor City,'' 
     Detroit sparked a century-long love affair with the 
     automobile. Detroit is also home to three of the largest 
     employers in southeast Michigan. Ford Motor Company, Chrysler 
     Corporation, General Motors Corporation, and the UAW.
       This celebration is a tribute to the inventors, engineers, 
     entrepreneurs and the workers who made the auto industry 
     great. The strength of our society relies, in part, on the 
     advances made in technology. From innovations in 
     manufacturing to design and development of alternative fuels, 
     the auto industry has enriched the lives of all Americans and 
     made our fine city's name synonymous with automobiles.
       As communities across the United States throughout 1996 are 
     uniting to celebrate this milestone in our nation's history, 
     I salute the American Automobile Centennial Commission along 
     with its four sponsors, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, and 
     the UAW for its efforts to create a year-long commemoration 
     of this special occasion. The metropolitan Detroit area marks 
     this historic anniversary with exhibits and displays, 
     celebrity appearances and ceremonies.
       Therefore, I Dennis Archer, Mayor of the City of Detroit, 
     issue this proclamation in celebration of the 100th 
     anniversary of the United States automobile industry. I urge 
     all residents to embrace and celebrate this vital part of 
     Detroit's history.

                          ____________________