[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             SONY FEST '97

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I want to commend the Sony 
Technology Center as it celebrates 25 years of success and partnership 
in San Diego.
  In honor of this milestone, Sony is holding a four-day gala, Sony 
Fest '97. Scheduled events include the grand opening of the Technology 
Center's newest building (nicknamed ``genesis''), a keynote address by 
Sony Corporation President Nobuyuki Idei, business and technical 
symposiums, even carnival activities for children and families. Sony 
Fest '97 promises to be quite a party!
  Sony began in San Diego by constructing a color television assembly 
plant in 1972, making it the first Japanese electronics company to 
establish television production in the United States. Sony has been 
going full steam ahead in San Diego ever since. Today, 25 million 
television picture tubes, 14 million ``Made in San Diego'' televisions, 
and almost $500 million in capital investments later, Sony continues to 
explore new horizons. It now manufactures a variety of electronic 
products from its trademark Trinitron televisions to computer picture 
tubes and peripherals. In fact, Sony San Diego is currently the only 
U.S. manufacturer of Computer cathode ray tubes or CRTs.
  Although an international company, Sony takes pride in its efforts to 
respond to local and national concerns. Where possible, Sony buys and 
sells domestically, if not locally. For example, Sony estimates that 90 
percent of the materials used in its television picture tubes come from 
domestic sources, and that 80 percent of finished Trinitron sets 
manufactured in North America are sold in the U.S. Sony San Diego is 
also very active in the community and in the fight for more 
environmentally friendly business practices.
  I think all in San Diego would agree: Sony is a great neighbor. For 
25 years its presence has helped make San Diego a better place to live, 
work and conduct business. It is a pleasure to come to the Senate today 
and wish all involved a very enjoyable Sony Fest '97.

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