[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING MOBILE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT WIN HALLETT AND 
   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VICE PRESIDENT BILL SISSON FOR THEIR ROLE IN 
                   RECRUITING THYSSENKRUPP TO ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Mobile 
Chamber of Commerce President Win Hallett and Economic Development Vice 
President Bill Sisson for their efforts in recruiting Thyssen Krupp to 
build a new steel mill in southwest Alabama.
  Both Win and Bill worked tirelessly over the past 2 years to recruit 
this world class steel company to Alabama. In an unprecedented way, 
leaders from across Alabama and the region came together to promote the 
Alabama site.
  Over a century ago, steel was Alabama's ``cash crop'' and steel 
manufacturing played a major role in Alabama's industrial revolution. 
Now in 2007, Alabama is one of the leading producers of automobiles in 
the United States. ThyssenKrupp's announcement brings Alabama's steel 
legacy full circle.
  The impact of this new steel mill will be profound. ThyssenKrupp's 
new steel mill promises at least 2,700 new permanent jobs, paying 
upwards of $50,000 a year. Construction will require almost 30,000 
employees who will earn $40,000 to $50,000 a year. Such benefits would 
not be possible without the outstanding leadership of the Mobile Area 
Chamber of Commerce, who in recent years has also played a lead role in 
other development projects including: Northrop Grumman/EADS choosing 
Mobile as the home for its plant to build tankers for the Air Force 
should the team be awarded the contract; investors choosing Mobile 
County as the future home of the $600 million Alabama Motorsports Park, 
A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway; and the RSA Battle House Tower, which is 
the tallest building along the Gulf Coast.
  Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you and my colleagues to join me in 
honoring Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce President Win Hallett and 
Economic Development Vice President Bill Sisson for their outstanding 
accomplishments. I would like to offer each of them my heartfelt thanks 
on behalf of the First Congressional District for their continued 
contributions to the great State of Alabama.

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