Recognizing Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce President Win Hallett and Economic Development Vice President Bill Sisson for Their Role in Recruiting ...

Floor Speech

RECOGNIZING MOBILE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT WIN HALLETT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VICE PRESIDENT BILL SISSON FOR THEIR ROLE IN RECRUITING THYSSENKRUPP TO ALABAMA -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 25, 2007)

* Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Mobile Chamber of Commerce President Win Hallett and Economic Development Vice President Bill Sisson for their efforts in recruiting Thyssen Krupp to build a new steel mill in southwest Alabama.

* Both Win and Bill worked tirelessly over the past 2 years to recruit this world class steel company to Alabama. In an unprecedented way, leaders from across Alabama and the region came together to promote the Alabama site.

* Over a century ago, steel was Alabama's ``cash crop'' and steel manufacturing played a major role in Alabama's industrial revolution. Now in 2007, Alabama is one of the leading producers of automobiles in the United States. ThyssenKrupp's announcement brings Alabama's steel legacy full circle.

* The impact of this new steel mill will be profound. ThyssenKrupp's new steel mill promises at least 2,700 new permanent jobs, paying upwards of $50,000 a year. Construction will require almost 30,000 employees who will earn $40,000 to $50,000 a year. Such benefits would not be possible without the outstanding leadership of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, who in recent years has also played a lead role in other development projects including: Northrop Grumman/EADS choosing Mobile as the home for its plant to build tankers for the Air Force should the team be awarded the contract; investors choosing Mobile County as the future home of the $600 million Alabama Motorsports Park, A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Speedway; and the RSA Battle House Tower, which is the tallest building along the Gulf Coast.

* Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce President Win Hallett and Economic Development Vice President Bill Sisson for their outstanding accomplishments. I would like to offer each of them my heartfelt thanks on behalf of the First Congressional District for their continued contributions to the great State of Alabama.

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