[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY IN COATESVILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 30, 2010

  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 200th 
anniversary of the oldest, continuously operating steel mill in the 
United States located in Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
  During the last two centuries, men and women of great character, 
tremendous ingenuity and bold leadership have contributed to the 
longevity and success of Coatesville's iron and steel industry, which 
helped sustain a community and fueled America's growth and prosperity.
  The steel mill that Isaac Pennock established on the banks of the 
Brandywine River in the early 19th Century developed into an industrial 
complex that housed the world's largest plate mill thanks to the 
efforts of Dr. Charles Lukens, Rebecca Lukens and several generations 
of leaders. Today, the world's largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal, 
operates the facility and employs 820 men and women there.
  The plant is responsible for several historically significant 
achievements. Rebecca Lukens is recognized as America's first female 
chief executive officer. In addition, the rolling plates for the 
Cordorus, the first iron-hulled vessel, and the Nautilus, the first 
nuclear submarine, were manufactured at the facility. More recently, 
the ``steel trees'' from the World Trade Center, which stood tall after 
the September 11, 2001 attack, returned home to Coatesville where they 
were manufactured.
  Dedicated employees with work ethics as strong as the steel plates 
they forge also have been integral to the success of the plant. These 
highly-skilled and extremely motivated workers have helped the industry 
adapt from an era of steam locomotives and iron-hulled vessels to an 
era of nuclear submarines and specialty steel products.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring the 
200th anniversary of the iron and steel industry in the City of 
Coatesville and recognizing the exemplary effort of employees, past and 
present, to produce world-class products and an enduring legacy for the 
City.

                          ____________________