Detroit Diesel Corporation, UAW Local 163 & Redford Township Support Louisiana Community with Water Treatment System

System will provide infrastructure to help rebuilding efforts after Hurricane

DETROIT, March 14 -- Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC), the UAW Local 163 and Redford Township today announced the donation of funds needed to install a wastewater treatment system in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, as part of the continuing efforts to help the hurricane-devastated community.

The wastewater treatment system is needed to support housing accommodations for the more than 500 volunteers who will help rebuild both private residences and small businesses in Buras, a community within the Parish. The volunteers will come to Buras from virtually all over the United States to help with reconstructing the Parish and the local community. Volunteers will rotate in groups of 100 to 150 through the rebuilding process.

Water and electric services were recently re-established in Buras, but it could be up to three months before permanent wastewater treatment can be restored. The donation will provide the temporary wastewater treatment equipment required to accommodate the volunteers who will live and work in Buras during the rebuilding process.

"We're really fortunate to be in a position to help Plaquemines Parish, given all of the destruction from hurricanes Katrina and Rita last fall," said Carsten Reinhardt, Detroit Diesel President and Chief Executive Officer. "Here in Detroit, we don't hear much about what these communities are facing on a day-to-day basis and it's easy to think that life is 'back to normal'.

"The reality is that Plaquemines Parish and many other southern communities still have a tremendous amount of work ahead of them before life will be anywhere close to normal again. Together with the UAW Local 163 and Redford Township, we will continue to work with Plaquemines Parish to find additional ways to help in the rebuilding process. We are continuing to evaluate ways in which we can support Plaquemines Parish as we look near and long-term."

"I can't tell you how much this donation means to the community of Buras," explained Benny Rousselle, Plaquemines Parish President. "We are so grateful for the assistance Detroit Diesel, the UAW and Redford Township have provided and we are encouraged by their dedication to helping us in the future."

Last December, DDC announced its intention to partner with UAW Local 163 and Redford Township to help the hurricane-devastated community of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, in what the company views as a long-term commitment to helping those in need. To kick-off the project, representatives from DDC, the UAW, and Redford Township, gathered at the former Redford Township library to load a Detroit Diesel-powered truck with food, clothing and household goods that were donated by community residents and DDC employees. The truck arrived in Plaquemines Parish just days before the December holidays.

"We are so pleased to be working together with Detroit Diesel and the UAW Local 163 to assist a fellow community during this time of rebuilding," said R. Miles Handy, Redford Township Supervisor. "We want Plaquemines Parish to know they have our support not only through this project, but in spirit, too."

Plaquemines Parish is Louisiana's southernmost parish and is located just southeast of New Orleans. Located in the Gulf of Mexico, Plaquemines Parish is almost completely surrounded by water and suffered severe destruction from both hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Prior to the storms, Plaquemines Parish had more than 28,000 residents. Much of the community was completely destroyed including more than 10,000 private residences, countless businesses, and most of the Parish's community/government buildings including schools, libraries, and community centers. For more information about Plaquemines Parish, visit http://www.plaqueminesparish.com/ .

Detroit Diesel Corporation is the leading manufacturer of on-highway heavy-duty diesel engines for the commercial truck market. The company offers a complete line of engines from 170 to 515 horsepower for the on-highway and vocational markets. Through its corporate headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, Detroit Diesel is engaged in the design, manufacture, sale, and service of these products, in addition to supporting alternative and hybrid engine strategies for the commercial truck marketplace. Detroit Diesel is a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler and part of the Freightliner group of companies.

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/239425.html