[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 78 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO AEROQUIP-INOAC ON THEIR OSHA VPP RECOGNITION

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                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 2002

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to an 
outstanding corporation based in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I 
am happy to announce that the employees of Aeroquip-inoac in Fremont, 
Ohio, have recently achieved an extraordinary level of success. The 
Aeroquip-inoac Corporation will receive OSHA's highest level of 
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) safety and health management 
certification, that of Star Participant, on Friday, June 14, 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Aeroquip-Inoac took it upon themselves to 
participate in the VPP by establishing a cooperative relationship 
between management, labor, and OSHA officials. Management established 
an effective program that meets the set OSHA requirements, and labor 
employees agreed to participate in an effort to assure a safe and 
healthful workplace. OSHA has verified that the program meets the 
established criteria and is recognizing the Aeroquip-Inoac Corporation 
for attaining the highest level of success.
  Aeroquip-Inoac has joined the ranks of .01% of the six million 
companies in the U.S. to be recognized by OSHA under their Voluntary 
Protection Programs by achieving that status of Star Participant. As a 
company that produces Class A painted exterior trim products for the 
automotive industry I applaud them on their cooperative effort, which 
involved all of the 500 employees. This program not only increased 
employee motivation to work safely, but also increased productivity by 
reducing the number of lost workdays due to injury.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to stand and join me in paying 
special tribute to the Aeroquip-Inoac Corporation. Businesses in the 
U.S. are served well through participation in these types of voluntary 
programs, and like Aeroquip-Inoac, show what the American spirit of 
cooperation can accomplish. I am confident that the Aeroquip-Inoac 
Corporation will continue to improve their safety and health programs 
and I wish them well in their future endeavors.

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