Chattanooga and Volkswagen had a great “love fest” yesterday at our local Convention Center.
The top Chattanooga VW official, Frank Fischer, was welcomed by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, former Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey and our own fine U.S. Sen. Bob Corker saluted the decision by VW to establish its huge Volkswagen manufacturing plant in our community, where it will employ more than 2,000 local people producing thousands of great VW cars.
The many officials, and several hundred other eager Chattanoogans, eyed the first exciting and stylish VW model that will roll off Chattanooga production lines soon. The new VWs surely will be eagerly bought throughout the United States and the rest of the world.
VW’s Fischer said Chattanooga “has truly become our home.” We welcome Fischer and VW as “home folks,” and extend to them the best of Southern hospitality.
Democrat Gov. Bredesen, who played a tremendous part in helping VW officials select Chattanooga for the manufacturing plant and is completing two outstanding terms, said this was his proud “final act.”
Bredesen praised incoming Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, as well as Ramsey, Littlefield and other individuals from this area, for their mutual efforts on behalf of VW, Tennessee and our community.
Bredesen said the enthusiastic VW-Chattanooga effort is the product of “local partners working together.”
Wasn’t the governor’s comment a fine reminder of how much good can be accomplished when people of varied political philosophies join in cooperation for good purposes, with good will among all?
Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce President Tom Edd Wilson presided over the gathering, with the Rev. Dr. Bill Dudley of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church praying for the mutual interests, and the Glenn Draper Singers musically embellishing the happy gathering.
This was a fine and jubilant occasion – but just the beginning!
Many good things surely are ahead for energetic and imaginative Chattanoogans of good will, working together with our new neighbors from afar – for the good of both Volkswagen and our wonderful community.