[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 68 (Tuesday, June 6, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY'S TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING TEAM MEMBERS

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to express 
congratulations to all of the team members at the Toyota assembly plant 
in Georgetown, Kentucky, on being recognized by J.D. Power and 
Associates for the high quality of vehicles which they have produced.
  It is my understanding that the Georgetown assembly plant is the only 
plant in North America to win this award this year. Moreover, I 
understand that all of the cars produced at the Georgetown plant have 
been ranked best in their category in this year's J.D. Power and 
Associates survey of the best cars and trucks. Not only is it an 
outstanding achievement to be chosen by J.D. Power--whose rankings are 
widely considered to be the industry standard for new car quality--to 
receive a Gold Plant Quality Award in recognition of outstanding 
vehicle quality, but to receive this honor for the fourth time in ten 
years is a truly remarkable accomplishment. I commend you and all of 
your hard work in earning this award.
  News of the announcement by J.D. Power of the Georgetown plant's 
award follows closely on the announcement by Toyota that the company 
hit a milestone with a record-breaking production of 1 million vehicles 
in North America. A significant amount of the credit for this 
accomplishment, too, belongs to the hard-working folks at the 
Georgetown facility, and I want to congratulate you on this 
achievement, as well.
  I am proud of the relationship between Toyota Motor Manufacturing and 
the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Since Kentucky made its original 
investment in Toyota in 1986, the state has realized a 36.8 percent 
annual rate of return, and has benefited greatly from the more than $5 
billion which Toyota has invested statewide. Most of all, though, I am 
proud of the work being done by the Kentuckians who work at the Toyota 
plant. On behalf of myself and my colleagues in the United States 
Senate, congratulations again on your significant achievement.

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