[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14895]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 2009

  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize American Honda 
Motor Company--whose North American headquarters is located in my 
Congressional District--on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. 
Established on June 11, 1959 in a small Los Angeles storefront, a 
handful of Honda associates began selling motorcycles. Fifty years 
later, American Honda has grown from a single office into a company 
with significant investments throughout the U.S. and is a leader in 
fuel economy, safety and environmental technology.
  In the midst of the of 1973 oil crisis, Honda introduced the fuel-
efficient Civic, marking its official entry into the U.S. market. Two 
years later, it began market research and new model development 
activities in America, which today encompass 13 facilities with the 
capability of complete product creation.
  Fast forward to the 1990s, when Honda continued its environmental 
leadership through investment in advanced internal combustion engines 
and the introduction in 1999 of the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle 
in the U.S. On Earth Day of this year, Honda launched the 2010 Insight, 
a price competitive and exciting new hybrid design.
  Starting with eight sales associates in 1959, Honda today employs 
nearly 28,000 direct employees whose jobs include design, development, 
manufacturing, sales and service of products ranging from automobiles, 
motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, outboard marine engines, power 
equipment and an advanced light jet. Honda's flagship office in 
Torrance, California employs almost 2,400 people at its sprawling and 
energy efficient campus.
  American Honda has 11 manufacturing plants in the U.S. with two more 
under construction, 13 research and development facilities, and 
regional sales, parts, service and finance offices across America. 
Honda buys parts and materials from 545 U.S. companies in 34 states 
with annual purchases exceeding $17.5 billion in 2008.
  More than just a carmaker, Honda prides itself on community 
stewardship. Its U.S. charity arm provided over $1.8 million in grants 
last year--including $75,000 for a local firefighter program.
  I offer my hearty congratulations to American Honda, which has 
established a half century of commitment to investing in this country, 
innovation and strong environmental leadership. May the next 50 years 
be just as productive.

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