[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 76 (Friday, June 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY'S 95TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I am pleased to pay tribute to the 
Harley-Davidson Motor Company on this great American company's 95th 
anniversary.
  As a long time Harley-Davidson rider, I have enjoyed many years of 
satisfaction with the company and its legendary machines. After a long 
day on Capitol Hill, there is nothing I enjoy more than firing up my 
Softail Custom. I even had one of my two official Congressional 
portraits taken with my Softail in front of our nation's Capitol. When 
I am back home in Colorado, I tool around on my black Road King, often 
with my wife Linda, who also has her own Heritage Softail Classic.
  I can tell you that there is no better way to enjoy Colorado's great 
scenic beauty than from the saddle of a Harley-Davidson. The freedom of 
the open road and the often imitated, but never duplicated, throaty 
roar of an American-made machine is something that I have thoroughly 
enjoyed for countless thousands of miles.
  Harley-Davidson not only makes great motorcycles; it also exemplifies 
the kind of company that I am proud to support. From its humble 
beginnings in a small 10 foot by 15 foot shed in a Milwaukee backyard 
in 1903, this company had its share of good times and bad. The Great 
Depression was a major blow to the American motorcycle industry, and 
when the dust finally cleared Harley-Davidson was one of only two U.S. 
motorcycle manufacturers left standing.
  And it is a good thing that Harley-Davidson survived because when 
World War Two erupted, our country needed to call on Harley-Davidson to 
build bikes for U.S. and Allied troops during WW-II. Many of the orders 
and other messages needed to achieve victory would not have been 
delivered to the front lines if it had not been for brave G.I. 
messengers riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
  Following the Allied victory in World War Two, the Harley-Davidson 
Company refocused on developing new styles of motorcycles for the 
American people to enjoy. The company's second generation of management 
brought fresh ideas that helped usher-in the celebrated ``motorcycle 
culture'' of the 1950's and 60's.
  When Harley-Davidson hit a rough patch of road in the 1980's it was a 
daring combination of re-found independence, innovation and serious 
reengineering that brought this legendary company back from the brink. 
Harley-Davidson successfully carried out a classic textbook comeback 
that exemplifies many of our nation's best traits: independence, 
daring, grit, tenacity, smarts, and a penchant for continuous 
innovation and progress while remaining firmly rooted in our heritage.
  On that note, I conclude my tribute to the people of Harley-Davidson 
with my congratulations on 95 great years while looking forward to many 
more.

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