[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 110 (Friday, September 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JIM PADILLA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 8, 2006

  Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge Jim 
Padilla, president and chief operating officer of Ford Motor Company, 
upon his retirement.
  Since Jim first joined Ford in 1966 as a quality-control engineer, he 
has worked tirelessly to maintain the company's position as a global 
leader in automotive quality. In 1976, Jim was promoted to the first of 
several management roles he would hold in product engineering and 
manufacturing. He served in a number of senior manufacturing, 
engineering, and management positions from 1992 to 1996, before being 
named president of Ford South America operations until 1998.
  Jim became group vice president of global manufacturing in 1999. He 
then served as Ford president of the Americas from 2001 to 2002, which 
is responsible for all operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, 
and South America. In April of 2005, Jim was promoted to chief 
operating officer of Ford Motor Company and chairman of Ford automotive 
operations. On February 1, 2005, Jim was named president of Ford Motor 
Company and elected to its board of directors.
  For 40 years, Jim's commitment to quality, environmental 
consciousness, and innovation has helped keep Ford a premier automotive 
manufacturer. He is credited with revamping failing sectors of the 
company, such as the Jaguar automotive line, and with successfully 
restructuring operations after the breakup of Autolina. A graduate of 
the University of Detroit-Mercy, he now serves on the university's 
board of trustees and has been named a fellow of the National Academy 
of Engineering.
  Mr. Speaker, Jim's tireless leadership and vision of excellence has 
revolutionized Ford's automotive operations for four decades. As he 
enters the next phase of his life, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
applauding his achievements and honoring him for his legendary service 
to our community and our country.

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