[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 13 (Monday, February 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S860-S861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE CORVETTE: MOTOR TREND'S 1998 CAR OF THE YEAR

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 
recent recognition of the redesigned Chevrolet Corvette as Motor Trend 
magazine's 1998 Car of the Year. By recognizing the 1998 Corvette with 
one of the automobile industry's most prestigious awards, the editors 
of Motor Trend bestow a great honor, not only on the car, but more 
importantly on those men and women who design and build the Corvette in 
Bowling Green, Kentucky.
  Motor Trend--in celebrating the radically-redesigned 1998 Corvette--
points to the new, cleaner 5.7 liter/345 horsepower V-8 engine, a 
lighter, more refined chassis, and an impressive 24.9 cubic feet of 
cargo space, noting that ``the new Corvette will be remembered as one 
of the greatest cars in American automotive history.''
  The selection of the Corvette further signals the resurgence of great 
American cars. I am proud that the Corvette has been at the forefront 
of this revival.
  This award is a testament to the tireless efforts of those in Bowling 
Green who have designed and assembled the Corvette since 1981, when the 
shiny new plant was born from an old Chrysler Air Temps facility. Since 
Corvette production moved from St. Louis 18 years ago, the people of 
Bowling Green have been proud to carry on the tradition of America's 
original roadster.
  Mr. President, by honoring the Corvette, the editors of Motor Trend 
honor all the hard-working men and women

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in my home state of Kentucky who have played a role in all stages of 
the production of the new, 5th generation Corvette. I offer my 
congratulations to all those who work for Chevrolet in Bowling Green, 
whose innovative thinking and diligence has resulted in the Corvette 
winning this prestigious award.

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