[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5785-5786]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CENTRAL OHIOANS TO THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF 
                             HONDA IN 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEBORAH PRYCE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2006

  Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate some of 
the men and women who live in my Congressional district and are 
dedicated employees of Honda North America, whose contributions to 
Honda's products helped the company receive four of the most 
prestigious awards given to automakers. Earlier this year, the Honda 
Civic lineup and Honda Ridgeline were selected as the 2006 Motor Trend 
Car and Truck of the Year. This is the first time that a single brand 
has won both awards from Motor Trend in the same year.
  Significantly, the Civic Coupe, Civic Si and Ridgeline vehicles were 
researched, designed and developed at Honda R&D of the Americas with 10 
facilities located across the United States. The major development 
facility is located in Raymond, Ohio in my 15th Congressional district. 
This facility employs approximately 1,000 U.S. associates and handles a 
variety of engineering, design, vehicle. fabrication and testing 
responsibilities.
  In addition, at the 2006 Detroit International Auto Show, the Civic 
lineup and Ridgeline were awarded the 2006 ``North American Car and 
Truck of the Year''. The winners of these awards are selected by 49 
full-time automotive

[[Page 5786]]

journalists from the United States and Canada. Winners are chosen based 
on a multitude of factors including innovation, design, safety, 
handling, driver satisfaction and value for the money. Once again, this 
is the first time a single brand has won both awards in the same year.
  These achievements reflect a very significant maturation of Honda's 
operations in America and the meaning of American workers, and 
specifically Ohioans, to Honda itself. Today, nearly 30 percent of the 
Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2005 were researched, 
designed and developed in America. Honda currently employs 
approximately 15,000 associates in Ohio and its investment includes 
five manufacturing plants that produce automobiles, light trucks, 
motorcycles, engines and transmissions. Honda utilizes more than 160 
parts suppliers from the ``Buckeye State'' to produce these vehicles 
and their components--further signifying the relationship between Honda 
and the Ohio worker.
  I want to offer my congratulations to the associates of Honda in Ohio 
and especially those in Raymond, Ohio at Honda R&D of the Americas on 
receipt of these four awards. I appreciate the House allowing me to 
bring this matter to its attention.

                          ____________________