Washington, DC – Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks today at the Ford Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights as the automaker announced plans to generate 1,200 full-time jobs at seven Michigan communities.  The company will invest $850 million dollars in the projects.  Below are the Congressman’s remarks as prepared, after he was introduced by Ford Executive Vice President Mark Fields.

“Friends, I could not be happier about being here with you today as Ford announces $850 million in new investments in Michigan.

“This is another example of our collective hard work paying off.

“We are here today for this announcement - and we have gathered together for others, like the announcement in Ypsilanti earlier this year where Ford and the UAW announced they would be bringing jobs back from Mexico - because we had the courage and foresight to fight for this industry.

“Some of our critics argued against investing in the American automobile industry.  I ask these critics today, are these jobs a poor investment?  I know 1,200 full-time workers who would argue otherwise.

“And we know this is an industry worth fighting for.  These are jobs worth fighting for.  This is a state worth fighting for.

“Ford is making a very significant commitment to Michigan - to our future manufacturing and engineering - investing here in Michigan, in our people and in our future.

“In Dearborn, Saline, Livonia, here at Sterling Heights and across this great state, these jobs are part of a trend: new manufacturing jobs are coming back to Michigan.  And these are darn good jobs.

“Our Delegation here in Michigan - some of my colleagues are here with me - we sucessfully fought together for funding to retool older manufacturing plants to produce new, more fuel efficient vehicles.  We came together to fight for our industry and our workers and today is another example of our hard work paying off.

“So thank you for having me here today.  Thank you for fighting for Michigan.  Let's keep fighting together and moving Michigan and our world class workers forward!”