FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 29, 2010
National Grassroots Campaign Promotes U.S. Manufacturing Jobs
CONTACT:
Richard Jefferson, AEM
414-274-0655; rjefferson@aem.org;
Elissa Dodge, Qorvis Communications
(202) 683-3152; edodge@qorvis.com
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Mike Rowe, creator and host of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs,” joined forces today in Washington, D.C. for the launch of I Make America, a national grassroots campaign to promote U.S. manufacturing jobs through infrastructure investment and passage of export agreements. Infrastructure investment and export agreements are proven ways to create and sustain jobs for U.S. workers. (View the launch of the event at I MAKE AMERICA.)
According to a recent poll conducted by Clarus Research, a majority of all voters (53 percent) said they think “worse” of the economic stimulus package when they find out that only 3 percent of its funding was dedicated to rebuilding highways, roads and bridges. Yet, a strong majority – 66 percent – believes “Given current economic conditions, it’s a good time to build and repair America’s roads and bridges.”
America’s infrastructure is the connective tissue that keeps society out of the ditch,” said Mike
Rowe, an outspoken advocate of the trades, and founder of the site mikeroweWORKS. “Our roads, railways, runways, and the stuff we can’t always see, are falling apart around us. Fixing the infrastructure is a job that will have no end, but if we don’t get started, it’ll be the end of us.”
Since 2001, more than 4.7 million manufacturing jobs have been lost. I Make America is a resource for workers in the manufacturing industry, as well as the businesses that rely on them and the communities they support, to send a message to Congress that we need new manufacturing policies that will create badly needed jobs now.
The message of I Make America is that America needs a new manufacturing policy that creates jobs by doing two fundamental things:
• Generate economic activity by rebuilding and modernizing America’s infrastructure – roads, bridges, sewer, clean water and flood control systems.
• Help our farmers and manufacturers create more jobs in the U.S. by exporting their products to new markets around the world.
“We need to dramatically increase American manufacturing jobs so our economy can compete with other countries and our equipment manufacturers are able to prosper and grow right here in the United States,” said AEM President Dennis Slater “Until these things are done, America’s economy will suffer and our competitive position in the world will be threatened.”
The I Make America website highlights the disproportionate job losses in the equipment manufacturing sector and related industries and provides facts on benefits to American prosperity from supporting policies that protect and grow this industry.
Additionally, I Make America showcases short videos at Day in American Life at from employees and small business owners around the country telling the real life stories of how manufacturing impacts the national economy.
About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
AEM is the North American-based international trade group providing innovative business development resources to advance the off-road equipment manufacturing industry in the global marketplace. AEM membership comprises more than 800 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors worldwide. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices in the capitals of Washington, D.C., Ottawa, Beijing and a European presence in Brussels.
About Mike Rowe – mikeroweWorks
A partner with AEM member, U.S. equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, Rowe is an outspoken advocate of the trades and infrastructure in America, and his website provides information about America’s infrastructure, national and state resources as well as job listings. New episodes of Dirty Jobs will air this fall on Tuesdays beginning October 19.
7 Comments
First of all I would like to say. I love your show. Thank you very much for fighting for America’s manufacturing jobs too! I just lost my job of 18yrs. at the Whirlpool plant in Evansville In. when they decided to move the plant to Mexico. I am one of the lucky ones though I will be officially retiring in March 2011. A lot of my friends and coworkers are hurting though. Thanks NAFTA!! One other thing I would like to ask? Since our last name is the same, could we be related? My family originally came from the Leitchfield, Centeal City part of Kentucky. My Grandfathers name was Charles S. Rowe and my Great grandfather was Samuel Rowe. I really don’t expect an answer to this message but, it sure would be nice. Have a great day. Danny W. Rowe, Evansville, In.
Great Job! We need to have pride in MADE IN THE USA. To that end, we need to not only export more of our manufactured products but also strive to purchase what is made here if at all possible. I realize that some things are very limited but with a little research you will find that there are more options out there that you can order on line. For example, clothing…. in the stores you have to really be vigilant if you want Made in The USA clothing, but check on line and it can be found. I found an American Made clothing company that I now use to purchase all of my husband and son’s work jeans. They are very high quality and are comparable in price to what I find in stores – they look great too. Buy American and support our Economy!
The launch video is in the link above where it says “View the launch of the event…” Click on that to see it.
Thanks.
I still don’t see the launch videos. Other videos are coming through. Maybe if it goes to youtube we can all see it.
I still know and feel that the launch was fabulous.
Awaiting the new season starting Oct 19.
Thanks
Mike – Congratulations on another venture to bring manufacturing back!
Moureen – I think it’s because they are politicians, and only interested in sound bites. And building new stuff is always more exciting than fixing old stuff.
And we need to fix the old stuff. There’s more of us, and we move around a lot more, and in some places we’re on forty year old roads.
Keep up the good work, Mike!
It’s so obvious to me that our infrastructure is crumbling and it needs immediate attention, so I don’t understand why the people in Washington, DC don’t get it. Politics is too often put ahead of the needs of the everyday American. Thanks to you and AEM for your great work Mike.
Another job well done mate. Your amazing and are doing so much for working class hard workers not only in the US but inspiring people down here in Australia.
Love your work!!!!!