[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9217]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             DuPONT DeLISLE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, this month DuPont Chemical and the 
people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast region together celebrate the 25th 
anniversary of the DuPont Chemical Plant in DeLisle, MS. DuPont began 
manufacturing in DeLisle in 1979 and in 1991 underwent an expansion. 
The plant now employs over 1,000 people who are residents of both 
Mississippi and Louisiana. These employees are the No. 1 reason the 
plant has achieved some very impressive production rates. In fact, its 
high productivity levels have made the DuPont DeLisle plant the second 
largest titanium dioxide producing plant in the world. This is truly 
cause for the plant's employees, management and all local residents to 
be proud.
   The plant's success over the past 25 years is directly attributable 
to the partnership between DuPont DeLisle and the city of DeLisle, the 
Mississippi gulf coast region, and the State of Mississippi. The local 
community and State maintain a strong interest in supporting the plant 
and ensuring its continued success, while the plant and its employees 
work to give back to and improve the local community. For example, over 
the years DuPont DeLisle and its employees have worked in cooperation 
with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to offer extensive 
on-site operator training in electrical, machine shop, and computer 
skills. In addition, employees have conducted American Red Cross blood 
drives and United Way campaigns, donated equipment to local schools and 
fire departments, and participated in State and local organizations 
that are focused on improving Mississippi's workforce.
   In addition to their work in the community, the plant's employees 
have strived to make it the best. As a result, the plant today is the 
top performer in its business group organization. DuPont DeLisle also 
work 4 times more safely than comparable industrial plants in the 
chemical industry using OSHA measurements. In fact, in October 2003, 
DuPont DeLisle employees exceeded their previous all-time safety record 
and early this year completed a full year without a single injury 
requiring medical treatment. These are truly significant 
accomplishments by employees who are obviously dedicated and committed 
to their employees' safety.
   As one can see, DuPont in DeLisle has been good for the Mississippi 
economy by creating and sustaining high paying technical jobs. For the 
past 25 years, Mississippi has been proud to call itself home to this 
plant and we look forward to our continued partnership for the next 25 
years. Congratulations to DuPont DeLisle and its local and State 
partners on this most noteworthy anniversary.

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