[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1348-E1349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATIONS TO GREER'S BMW MANUFACTURING COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2013

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to 
congratulate the BMW Manufacturing Company in Greer, South Carolina, 
upon their recent achievement. Yesterday, hardworking team members 
completed a tremendous goal by producing the 2,500,000th car since it's 
opening nearly twenty years ago. The mineral white metallic BMW X5 is 
destined for a BMW dealership in San Antonio, Texas, where it will be 
sold to a very fortunate customer.
  Over the years, the BMW facility has proven to be a great success for 
South Carolina. During my tenure in the South Carolina State Senate, I 
joined my Upstate colleagues to encourage BMW to build the four million 
square foot manufacturing facility, employing over 7,000 people in the 
region and investing billions into the Palmetto State's economy. I was 
honored to join my colleagues and community leaders from the upstate at 
the groundbreaking in September 1992. Dozens of parts suppliers are co-
located across the Upstate creating thousands of more jobs. The 
facility launched sales of BMW Z3s, Z4s, X5s, and X6s while adding X3s 
for worldwide export.
  South Carolina now is the leading exporter of cars in the United 
States. It fulfills the vision of Roger Milliken of Spartanburg who 
promoted the Jetport of Greenville-Spartanburg, and of Governor Carroll 
Campbell who worked with legislative leaders Senator Verne Smith of 
Greenville and Senator John Russell of Spartenburg coordinating with 
Ports Authority Chairman Bob Royall. All of South Carolina has 
benefited especially promoting the Port of Charleston.

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