[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 101 (Thursday, July 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MR. JAMES J. PADILLA ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM 
                           FORD MOTOR COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2006

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my dear 
friend, Mr. James J. Padilla, as he retires from a rewarding career 
with Ford Motor Company, where he served as President and Chief 
Operating Officer.
  Born in Detroit, Mr. Padilla earned his bachelor's and master's 
degrees in chemical engineering, as well as a master's degree in 
economics all from the University of Detroit. Mr. Padilla started his 
career with Ford Motor Company in 1966 as a quality control engineer. 
Ten years later, he accepted the first of what would be many managerial 
positions he would hold during the balance of his tenure with Ford.
  On his way to becoming the President and Chief Operating Officer of 
Ford Motor Company, Mr. Padilla served as Manufacturing Operations 
Manager for several of Ford's most successful lines of cars. He is also 
largely to thank for the dramatic turnaround of the Jaguar line, for 
which he served as Director of Engineering and Manufacturing.
  As Ford's Executive Vice President of the America's, Mr. Padilla 
spearheaded Ford Motor Company's North American recovery, vastly 
improving the quality and innovation of this division's products.
  In 2004, Mr. Padilla became the President and Chief Operating Officer 
of Ford Motor Company and took his seat on the Company's Board of 
Directors. In his final post with Ford, Mr. Padilla was responsible for 
the global automotive business, overseeing marketing, manufacturing, 
engineering and other operations in more than 200 markets with over 
327,000 employees.
  Over the course of Mr. Padilla's illustrious career, he has received 
numerous honors including Mexico's Ohtli Award, the Society of Plastics 
Engineers 2004 Executive Leadership Award, and the Society of 
Automotive Engineers' Manufacturing Leadership Award. Mr. Padilla is 
also a member of the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards 
Conference Hall of Fame. In 2003, Mr. Padilla was honored by the 
Gabriel Richards Historical Society for his outstanding vision and 
leadership toward the revitalization of Detroit and the surrounding 
communities.
  As James J. Padilla enters his retirement years, I wish him and his 
wife, Alice, the best and I sincerely hope that he can enjoy a relaxing 
and rewarding future. I thank him for everything he has done for Ford 
Motor Company and the State of Michigan.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like you to join me and all of my colleagues in 
honoring James J. Padilla for his leadership, dedication, and drive 
over the course of his 40 years of loyal service with Ford Motor 
Company.