[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3657]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             AMBASSADOR GERARD ARAUD VISITS SOUTH CAROLINA

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, as cochairman 
of the French Caucus, I had the opportunity to escort French Ambassador 
Gerard Araud across South Carolina, where he met enthusiastic citizens 
of French heritage along with business leaders who appreciate our 
valued alliance.
  South Carolina's association with France was highlighted by the 
arrival of the Marquis de Lafayette at Georgetown to support the 
American Revolution. His portrait is one of only two here in the House 
Chamber.
  Today, French investments are extraordinary with the joint Michelin 
plants in Lexington, providing over 2,000 jobs at a nearly 2-million-
square-foot facility. At the Savannah River site in Aiken, the 
Ambassador toured the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication facility using AREVA 
advanced technology to convert weapons-grade plutonium into green fuel. 
These investments produce jobs for Americans and profits for France.
  In between tours, the Ambassador was honored to speak to the Columbia 
Rotary Club, South Carolina's largest civic organization, led by 
President John Johnston, with introduction by French Huguenot, Rusty 
DePass.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and may the President by his 
actions never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

                          ____________________