Today, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is visiting ODM Tool & Manufacturing Company in McCook to celebrate the fifth annual National Manufacturing Day.  He is once again praising our country’s manufacturers and their hard-working employees for playing an important role in our national economy and keeping high quality middle class jobs in our local communities.

Last Congress, Lipinski’s bill requiring the nation to have a plan for boosting manufacturing jobs, known as the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, became law.  He has also authored legislation that is helping customs agents stop foreign companies from cheating American taxpayers and workers by illegally avoiding customs duties. 

“The importance of a healthy manufacturing base and its impact on the middle class cannot be overstated,” said Rep. Lipinski.  “Unfortunately, our manufacturers and their workers are confronted daily with new rules and restrictions that don’t seem to apply to their competitors overseas.  The latest threat comes from the deeply flawed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.  I support fair trade, but this deal will hurt American workers if it’s approved by Congress.  The last thing the middle class needs is another trade agreement like NAFTA or the Korea Free Trade Agreement that will destroy American jobs, lower wages, and put the consumer protections we rely on in doubt.  I promise to stand with American workers and American manufacturing and vote against TPP.”

ODM Tool & Manufacturing was founded over 65 years ago as a small tool and die shop by Otto D. Michaelson.  Today, it produces precision metal stampings and welded assemblies for automotive suppliers throughout North America.  ODM is a pillar of manufacturing in McCook. 

National Manufacturing Day is organized by several national manufacturing associations, as well as manufacturers themselves, to draw attention to the industry through hundreds of events nationwide.