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Airstream to Host U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton on Monday, October 25, 2004

JACKSON CENTER, Ohio, Oct. 22, 2004 -- Airstream, Inc, the flagship company of Thor Industries, Inc, , the largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles and mid size buses in North America, will welcome Gale Norton, United States Secretary of the Interior, to its Jackson Center, OH headquarters on Monday, October 25, 2004, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Secretary Norton is visiting Airstream as part of the Department of Interior's efforts to promote its Take Pride in America program, a national partnership that supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public land recreation areas. With more than 100 partners, Take Pride engages federal, state and local government, conservation and recreation organizers, young people, and top national corporations and organizations. Airstream is a Charter Partner of the Take Pride in America initiative. During her visit, Secretary Norton will meet with Airstream associates, tour its production facilities, and announce Airstream's lead role in a multi-state Take Pride volunteer event tour during the summer of 2005 -- the 75th anniversary of Airstream -- that will highlight America's public lands and the Take Pride in America program. The Secretary will also present the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association with a certificate of appreciation for its support, including sharing information about recreation opportunities on public lands with millions of American households.

Other dignitaries participating in Monday's visit include U.S. Representative Michael Oxley, Ohio State Senator James Jordan, Ohio Representative Derek Seaver, David Humphreys, President of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, Derrick Crandall, President of the American Recreation Coalition, and Walter Bennett, Executive Vice President of Thor Industries, Inc.

"Secretary Norton's visit to Airstream comes at an important time for the Recreation Vehicle industry, one of the fastest growing segments in the U.S. economy," said Dicky Riegel, President of Airstream. "As devoted users of America's national parks, forests and other public lands and waterways, Airstream owners and all RV users depend on responsible and proactive stewardship of our natural resources to protect their destinations. Airstream and its owners' club have a 75-year heritage of protecting our natural environment and the one in three acres of our nation managed by federal agencies, largely through the Department of the Interior. Our commitment to the Take Pride initiative is another example of Airstream's leadership."