CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL) joined U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk for a discussion and tour of Navistar's Melrose Park engine plant. Navistar is one of the world's leading truck and engine manufacturers.

The group met to discuss United States trade policy, the impact of that policy on local business success and job creation, and green technology. Navistar recently received $39 million in investment through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which helped them fund development for their electric truck.

"President Obama has asked his Cabinet to do everything we can to help American companies grow their exports," said Ambassador Kirk.   "My mission as U.S. Trade Representative is to open new markets around the world and to break down barriers to U.S. exports - including the many products and services made right here in Illinois.   When trade is done right, it can support more jobs and better jobs right here at home.  And we can't afford to leave any jobs on the table."

“Trade is the key to long term, sustainable growth in this country,” said Quigley. “A talented, trained, and educated workforce like the people I’ve met today at Navistar are the key to building a strong export economy, and to building our communities. Our trade policies have to protect the central role that the America worker plays in the global market place, and that means ensuring that we are on the cutting edge of technology, and remain a world leader in safe and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices. I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen here today.”

“We’re pleased to work with the administration and Congress to double American exports within five years and ensure the benefits of exporting American products, like the engines Navistar builds at our Melrose Park facility,” said A.J. Cederoth, Navistar’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. “An increase in American exports, powered by freer and fairer trade, is not only vital to our company, but our community and nation, as well.”

Following a meeting with Navistar officials, Ambassador Kirk, Rep. Quigley and representatives from the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, the group went on a tour of the plant’s engine assembly line and met employees of the company.

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ABOUT AMBASSADOR RON KIRK, USTR

As United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Kirk is a member of President Obama's Cabinet and serves as the President's principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues. During his tenure at USTR, Ambassador Kirk has led the office in developing trade policies that are proactive, responsible, and more responsive to American families' interests - recognizing that trade can be a job-creating pillar of economic recovery in the United States and around the world. Additional information is available at www.ustr.gov.

ABOUT CONGRESSMAN MIKE QUIGLEY
Mike Quigley was elected to Congress to represent Illinois 5th District on April 7, 2009 in a special election to replace outgoing Congressman Rahm Emanuel. A former Cook County Commissioner, Quigley has served his community for over twenty years. He sits on the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and has continued his strong commitment to those issues important to him and the 5th District, including transparency and financial responsibility, human rights, and the environment. Quigley lives with his wife, two college-age daughters, and two dogs in Chicagos Lakeview neighborhood where he has lived since 1982. Additional information is available at www.quigley.house.gov.

ABOUT NAVISTAR
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines, IC Bus brand school and commercial buses, Monaco RV brands of recreational vehicles, and Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans. It also is a private-label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. The company also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com/newsroom.

Andrew J. (A. J.) Cederoth serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Warrenville, Illinois-based Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV), one of the world's leading truck and engine manufacturers. Cederoth is responsible for continuing to ensure that Navistar has a robust financial reporting and planning infrastructure in place, and that the company's accounting and finance team is prepared to conduct business on a global basis. With the company since 1990, he has a broad financial background with Navistar that includes financial leadership positions in both manufacturing and financial services.