'Oklahoma Loves GM' Governor Brad Henry and State Officials Rally Statewide Support for General Motors Oklahoma City Assembly Plant

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 22 -- Today Governor Brad Henry held a rally at the State Capitol in show of support for the General Motors Oklahoma City Assembly Plant. Partnering with Kathy Taylor, Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, Fred J. Hall, Chairman, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and GM Plant Manager Tyree Minner, Governor Henry discussed the importance of rallying around GM during this pivotal time. While current events have affected GM, Governor Henry said it is paramount to recognize and take pride in a superior product that is made in Oklahoma.

"This campaign is about celebrating one of Oklahoma's great corporate citizens, as well as its hard-working and dedicated workforce," said Henry. "GM has a tremendous impact on our economy, but its role in our state goes even deeper. This company is a major contributor to Oklahoma charities and various philanthropic organizations, and its commitment to Oklahoma is unparalleled. I look forward to working with GM and UAW officials as the company continues to play a pivotal role in our economy for many years to come."

According to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the direct and indirect economic impact of the GM Oklahoma City facility to the state is in excess of $1 billion.

New Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, and the GMC Envoy Denali XL, models which are produced at the Oklahoma City GM plant, were on display on the Capitol Plaza for the rally while state and chamber employees distributed bumper stickers and window-clings emblazoned with "OK Loves GM."

Two billboards near the GM plant, which were created and donated by Lamar Outdoor Advertising, will go up in the next week with the same message. While it's certainly not a new sentiment, it serves as a reminder that the impact GM has on the state of Oklahoma, both financially and from a community perspective, is significant. GM and its employees, who are members of United Auto Workers Local No. 1999, are a part of the community and have made substantial contributions to the state in numerous ways, examples of which are provided on the new website, http://www.oklovesgm.com/ .

It's not the first time Oklahoma has rallied to support GM. After one of Oklahoma's most devastating tornados tore through the GM plant on May 8, 2003, only optimists believed the plant could reopen in under a year. But thanks to a drop-everything-and-rebuild mission, production resumed just seven weeks later.

The reconstruction was accomplished by 28 contractors, 1,600 contract workers and 400 GM employees, who worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ready the plant for production. The GM plant was dubbed, "Miracle on 74th Street". This investment to repair the plant and retool the factory in record time is proof of GM's commitment to Oklahoma. And Oklahoma intends to reciprocate by supporting GM and its employees during this transitional period. Despite the recent media articles speculating on the closing of the plant, GM is first to squelch these rumors.

"Something like that is pure speculation," said Pam Reese, GM's production spokesperson. "I have not seen anything or heard anything about this being it for Oklahoma City. This is a production and sales issue. It's a market driven decision and not anything reflective of the people at Oklahoma City." To learn more about "OK Loves GM" and to show your support, you can log on to http://www.oklovesgm.com/ .