[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 143 (Monday, August 27, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           115TH ANNIVERSARY OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Harley-Davidson 
Motor Company on its 115th anniversary. I am proud to honor this 
historic Wisconsin company and to commemorate this significant 
milestone.
  In 1903, boyhood friends William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson 
completed the first design and manufacture of a motorcycle, and Harley-
Davidson Motor Company was born in a small machine shop on Milwaukee's 
north side.
  Harley-Davidson quickly built its success on the strong foundation of 
partnerships with the law enforcement and military communities. In 
1907, Harley-Davidson began selling its motorcycles to police 
departments, a tradition that remains to this day. In 1917, ``Harleys'' 
were adopted for military issue during the First World War. The U.S. 
military purchased over 20,000 motorcycles from Harley-Davidson for the 
war effort. As one of only two American cycle manufacturers to survive 
the Great Depression, Harley-Davidson began to produce large numbers of 
motorcycles for the Army during the Second World War. Harley-Davidson 
received two Army-Navy E Awards for Excellence in Production, one in 
1943 and another in 1945.
  Today, Harley-Davidson remains one of the largest motorcycle 
manufacturers in the world and is famous for its loyal following. True 
to its roots, the company has kept its headquarters in Wisconsin's 
largest city: Milwaukee. Beginning with the 90th anniversary in 1993, 
Harley-Davidson has held celebratory rides to Milwaukee from all four 
corners of the United States that are called the Ride Home. There, 
Harley owners from around the Nation and the world celebrate Harley-
Davidson's success every 5 years at Harleyfest. They can also 
experience more than 100 years of Harley-Davidson's rich history at the 
Harley-Davidson Museum. The museum was built in 2008 and has quickly 
become one of Milwaukee's top tourist destinations.
  Anyone who has ridden a Harley knows that they make more than just 
world-class motorcycles; they create a sense of freedom that comes from 
exploring the roads of the world. In spite of differences in age, 
gender, occupation, lifestyle and background, Harley riders all share a 
sense of adventure and a passion for the open road.
  The Harley-Davidson Motor Company is an American icon, a Milwaukee 
staple and a symbol of freedom. I am delighted to see the company 
thriving after 115 years and look forward to many more years of success 
to come.

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