[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 95 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING MERITOR AUTOMOTIVE, INC. FOR CONTINUED JOB GROWTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 1998

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the continued success 
of the hard-working men and women of Meritor Automotive, Inc. Today, 
the 552 employees of Meritor Automotive, Inc., along with local and 
state officials, will gather in Gordonsville, Tennessee to celebrate 
yet another milestone in the company's history. This milestone marks 
the revitalization of a factory--providing needed jobs to this growing 
community.
  Meritor is a true success story. On April 1, 1995 Meritor purchased 
the business from Dura Automotive Systems. At the time many people felt 
Dura Systems' decision to discontinue production signaled the closure 
of this facility. However, the Meritor team changed that perception and 
was able to turn the business into a preferred supplier of Ford parts 
and receive numerous awards of excellence.
  Since Meritor assumed control of the facility, the plant in 
Gordonsville has added 280 jobs to the local community; invested over 
$15 million to refurbish the facility; pumped over $50 million into the 
local economy; and invested over $250,000 in environmental protections.
  These are not small tasks. While the company continues to grow, they 
are also helping make Gordonsville, Smith County and the surrounding 
area a better place to live and raise a family. The list of community 
service projects include: providing on-site GED training at no cost; 
allowing college courses to be taught in their training rooms; working 
with local charities and civic groups, like the Lion's club to provide 
free eye examinations to the children of Smith County.
  Middle Tennessee is one of the fastest growing areas in the country--
with over 110,000 new jobs created since 1984. Meritor is committed to 
improving the quality of life in the Gordonsville community. They have 
worked to see that our children receive a good, quality education and 
allowed our young people to find a good job close to home. All of these 
contributions help build on my dream of a vibrant, growing economy in 
Middle Tennessee for the 21st Century.
  I want to personally thank Meritor and all its employees for its 
continued commitment to this community and congratulate them on being 
awarded the Ford Q1/QS 9000 distinction.

                          ____________________