Senate Concurrent Resolution 613

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR OF NISSAN BUILDING QUALITY VEHICLES IN THE CITY OF CANTON AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Nissan is celebrating 10 years of automotive manufacturing excellence in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Nissan Motor Company announced on November 9, 2000, it would begin construction of a state-of-the-art $930 Million vehicle assembly plant in Canton; and

WHEREAS, Nissan officially broke ground and celebrated the start of construction on April 6, 2001; and

WHEREAS, on June 24, 2002, Nissan announced plans to invest an additional $500 Million and to add one million square feet to the plant to add production of the Nissan Altima in 2004; and

WHEREAS, on May 27, 2003, Nissan celebrated the Grand Opening of the Canton plant and launch of the 2004 Nissan Quest minivan; and

WHEREAS, on February 21, 2007, Nissan's Canton operations produced its 1 millionth vehicle, a red Nissan Titan Crew Cab SE full-size truck; and

WHEREAS, in November of 2008, Nissan began a $118 Million building and tooling expansion to assemble commercial vehicles in the United States for the first time; and

WHEREAS, on May 26, 2011, Nissan produced its 2 millionth vehicle, a Nissan Altima; and

WHEREAS, today Nissan manufactures 7 different vehicle models at its Canton Mississippi plant; and

WHEREAS, Nissan continues to grow in Mississippi and recently announced plans to produce the company's top-selling Murano SUV in Canton beginning in 2014 — the first time this vehicle will be built in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Nissan's Canton plant was recently awarded the ENERGY STAR Certification for the 7th consecutive year, signifying Nissan's spot among the top 25% of the automotive manufacturing industry for superior energy management; and

WHEREAS, Nissan has served as a major economic and philanthropic business leader in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Nissan has invested more than $2 Billion in the State of Mississippi since announcing the decision to build its manufacturing plant in Canton; and

WHEREAS, Nissan has recruited automotive suppliers and advanced manufacturers to Mississippi; and such efforts have fostered the state's continued growth in research and innovation; and

WHEREAS, Nissan and its suppliers have trained thousands of Mississippi residents to work in well-paying automotive manufacturing jobs; and

WHEREAS, Nissan's direct manufacturing workforce includes more than 5,000 citizens of the State of Mississippi with an annual payroll exceeding $200 Million; and

WHEREAS, through its direct and indirect economic impact, Nissan's presence has been estimated to increase the State of Mississippi's wage earnings by $846 Million annually; and

WHEREAS, Nissan employees enjoy jobs that are among the most secure in Mississippi, some of the highest manufacturing wages in the state, excellent benefits, and a working environment that exceeds industry standards; and

WHEREAS, Nissan supports a culture that values a diverse and inclusive workplace; and

WHEREAS, Nissan has never laid off a single Nissan employee at any of their United States' manufacturing plants, even during the Great Recession; and

WHEREAS, Nissan has bolstered Mississippi's leadership as an exporter of high-quality products across the globe; and

WHEREAS, Nissan has been a major philanthropic partner to the communities in which its facilities and employees reside. Nissan and its generous employees have contributed more than $7 Million in charitable donations since the doors opened in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Nissan Canton has supported approximately 200 organizations that help serve the Greater Jackson area including: Habitat for Humanity, Mississippi Food Network, Stewpot, Our Daily Bread, United Way, area school districts and colleges, Boys and Girls Clubs, 100 Black Men, Mississippi Children's Museum, Mission Mississippi, the Natural Science Museum and the Nature Conservancy; and

WHEREAS, Nissan Canton's manufacturing workforce has been recognized by Nissan Motor Company, LTD for its high quality manufacturing and has been awarded numerous new vehicle models during its 10 years of operations; and

WHEREAS, in 10 years of operation in the State of Mississippi, Nissan has improved the lives of countless Mississippians and made the state a major hub for the automotive industry:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the 10th Anniversary Year of Nissan building quality vehicles in the City of Canton and the State of Mississippi, and extend our best wishes to Nissan Motor Company for the continued success of the automotive industry at the Nissan Canton Plant.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to corporate representatives of Nissan Motor Company, forwarded to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.