FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
October 19, 2006
Contact:
Rogers
for Congress 517-853-8322
Rogers
: GM Grand River Plant Anniversary
Highlights Work, Partnerships for
Michigan
LANSING, Michigan -- Standing on the plant floor at the General Motors Grand River Assembly plant today, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers celebrated with workers and GM, UAW and city officials the fifth anniversary of the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Rogers was working with GM and its workers long before the manufacturing plant on Lansing’s south downtown area was built. As a Michigan Senator, Rogers led efforts in 2000 to provide GM access to state economic funds necessary to make the plant a reality.
“The workers turning out the new CTS Cadillac here remind me of the community partnership that went into making the Grand River plant the showplace of automotive manufacturing that it is today,” Rogers said. “This is a spectacular example of how government, labor and business can come together to reach a common goal: making Michigan a leader in today’s competitive global marketplace.”
Rogers’ support for GM workers has continued in the U.S. House where he has taken the lead on legislation to make international trading partners obey the rules of fair trade and give Michigan and other U.S. workers a level playing field. He has battled to stop the growing problem of counterfeit auto parts and for adding more trade enforcement personnel in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Rogers is a leader in supporting research and development to help U.S. automakers innovate their way into a more successful future. The Congressman introduced legislation to strengthen and expand the distribution system for ethanol-based E85 and other alternative fuels; and another measure to provide $20 billion in loan guarantees to automakers for development of “green” technologies.
“What we see today in GM’s Grand River plant is the culmination of American innovation, imagination and lots of common sense and hard work,” Rogers said. “With the same kind of ingenuity, Michigan workers will continue to lead the nation and world in building cars and other high-quality manufactured products.
“Fighting to help GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler workers is the key to making Michigan an economic leader. That partnership is part of what we celebrate today as we share the achievements of the GM Grand River Assembly plant and its team members.”
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