[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MADE IN THE USA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the importance of 
manufacturing to our Nation cannot be overstated. Creating products 
domestically supports local economies and creates family-sustaining 
jobs. But so many domestic companies also serve as a source of pride 
for towns, cities, and regions of the country.
  The Zippo Manufacturing Company and their iconic lighter are 
headquartered and manufactured in Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional 
District, which I have the honor of representing. It is McKean County's 
largest employer, with 900 hardworking men and women in a city of 
8,000. Zippo has been making lighters since 1895; and today, 160 
countries around the world buy Zippo products.
  Zippo is a part of Bradford's community identity. Part of this 
identity comes from the fact that American companies were once renowned 
for building things to last. Zippo backs its lighters with a ``forever 
guarantee.''
  Parade Magazine, a national publication, made note of this fact in a 
recent article titled, ``Putting America Back to Work: 5 Ways `Made in 
the USA' is Staging a Comeback.'' It's companies like Zippo that give 
``American made'' a great name, that keep the world buying U.S.-made 
products and ultimately keeps jobs in America and expands the American 
workforce.
  The key to our economic recovery is tapping into these gems, 
utilizing domestic energy, technology, and innovation, as well as a 
homegrown workforce to revitalize American manufacturing.

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