[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17123]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF GM IN BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, for 25 years the Chevrolet Corvette, 
known as America's sports car, has been exclusively manufactured in the 
General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, KY. I 
rise today to celebrate Bowling Green as the ``Home of the Corvette.'' 
We are very proud that it is in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
  The Corvette looms large as one of America's most admired sports 
cars. Introduced in 1953, it was originally produced elsewhere, but in 
1981, General Motors recognized Kentucky as the growing, business-
friendly environment it has become and decided Bowling Green and the 
Corvette made a good match. The first Kentucky-built Corvette rolled 
off the assembly line on June 1, 1981.
  The Bowling Green Assembly Plant also produces the Cadillac XLR and 
XLR-V in addition to three models of the Corvette. Over 39,000 GM cars 
are manufactured in Kentucky each year and delivered to driving 
enthusiasts all over the world. Over the 2\1/2\ decades, the Bowling 
Green Assembly Plant has undergone redesign and updating to incorporate 
the latest technology. Recently, the newest model, the Corvette Z06, 
was launched and continues the success of the made-in-Kentucky Corvette 
brand.
  The over 1,200 Kentuckians who work at the Bowling Green Assembly 
Plant maintain a high standard of quality while also serving as vital 
contributors to their communities. Plant employees have generously 
donated their efforts and resources to noble causes such as the United 
Way, Junior Achievement, the American Red Cross, D.A.R.E.--Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education--the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and various local 
charities.
  The plant and its workers also work closely with Western Kentucky 
University to sponsor grants and events. They also offer 30 internships 
to WKU students each year, giving young men and women an invaluable 
opportunity to learn about the business world from inside one of 
America's biggest companies. Several interns have gone on to earn 
permanent jobs with GM after graduation.
  The Bowling Green Assembly Plant's contribution to the local economy 
cannot be understated, either. Not only does the plant provide jobs to 
Kentuckians and keep directing money into the local economy, the plant 
also offers public tours, attracting over 50,000 tourists to the area 
every year.
  Every Corvette built in Kentucky is custom-built for an individual 
customer; the cars are not mass produced. The employees of the Bowling 
Green Assembly Plant are very proud of their commitment to precision 
and high quality. They have won more than 70 automotive industry awards 
since 1997.
  The Bowling Green Assembly Plant will celebrate its 25 years in 
Kentucky this September. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me 
in congratulating the Kentuckians who make America's sports car for 
their dedication to achievement and success, both on the job and in 
their communities. Kentucky is still reaping the rewards of its 25-year 
partnership with GM, and we hope to continue to do so for years to 
come.

                          ____________________