[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO BENEFIT THE U.S. AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AND 
           PROVIDE JOBS FOR WISCONSIN'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2005

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation that will benefit the U.S. automotive industry and help 
provide jobs for Wisconsin's manufacturing sector. Wisconsin has seen a 
net loss of more than 71,000 manufacturing jobs over the last five 
years, which is very troubling for a state with the second highest 
number of manufacturing employees per capita in the nation. Although 
the economy has improved significantly since mid-2003, many of our lost 
manufacturing jobs have not been recovered. Congress must continue to 
work to help our manufacturers remain competitive in the global 
marketplace.
  Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI), a Fortune 500 company headquartered in 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, employs 2,500 workers in the state and thousands 
more throughout the country. As the world's largest producer of 
automotive interiors, JCI works to develop and produce seating systems, 
instrument panels, door systems, overhead systems, and automotive 
electronics. They are a leader in the production of electronic 
telecommunications systems for vehicles and have developed innovative 
voice recognition systems that are used by the major manufacturers in 
the U.S. automotive industry,
  The microphones covered in this legislation are a key component of 
JCI's electronic telecommunications systems, However, they are not 
produced domestically and JCI must import them subject to a 4.9 percent 
tariff rate. By temporarily eliminating this tariff, this bill will 
reduce JCI's production costs and help them remain competitive against 
international competition. In addition, this bill will benefit U.S. 
automotive manufacturers who rely on JCI for their telecommunications 
systems, consumers who will pay reduced prices for these products, and 
hard-working Americans who are employed in the manufacturing industry.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to pass this 
legislation and help U.S. manufacturing.

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