July 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E603 help finding affordable rentals, and some the commitment and dedication of our asso- Soon after, he returned to Vermont to run the case management. RRH is widely credited ciates and supplier network. Every BMW X5 Orleans County Grammar School in with a steep nationwide reduction in family in the world comes from Plant Spartanburg. Brownington. To accommodate increasing en- homelessness. We are proud to call South Carolina home.’’ Among homelessness services providers, More than half of the BMW vehicles sold in rollment, he organized the funding and con- the operative maxim is: ‘‘it’s a marathon, the United States are built at Plant struction of a new school building to house not a sprint!’’ This pandemic will last well Spartanburg, according to Bernhard Kuhnt, and educate students. He also served as the into calendar year 2021, and they know their president and CEO of BMW of North Amer- local pastor, delivering sermons decrying slav- workload will likely get even heavier. There- ica. ery and supporting temperance. His sermons fore, it is imperative that the federal govern- ‘‘We cannot overstate the importance of reveal a man of strong convictions, who ment sufficiently resource those providers Plant Spartanburg to our sales network,’’ he viewed human history as a progression to- through enactment of Section 201. said in the news release. ‘‘BMW Group has wards greater individual freedom guided by 2. Section 202 would authorize the estab- long considered the United States to be our lishment of $1 billion in emergency housing second home and we are proud to say that conscience. vouchers which could provide permanent the U.S. is in fact home to the biggest BMW In 1836, Twilight became ‘‘the first’’ again, housing to homeless Americans, those at plant in the world. We congratulate our col- this time as the first African American elected risk of becoming homeless, as well as those leagues on this historic achievement.’’ to serve in a state legislature. He continued to escaping from domestic violence. With re- BMW celebrated 25 years of manufacturing teach at the Orleans County School and in spect to homeless families and individuals, in the Upstate last year, when it built a Quebec until 1855, when a stroke left him par- specifically, these vouchers could be used to record 411,620 vehicles. Nearly 70% of the alyzed. He died two years later, on June 19, provide safe spaces to those most vulnerable plant’s production was exported from 2010– 1857. The next year, Vermont passed a com- to the virus—the elderly, the disabled, and 2019. Last year’s value of exports was $9.6 bil- plete ban on slavery, declaring that anyone the sick—who need deeper subsidies. Addi- lion, more than any other U.S. carmaker for tional funding beyond what is provided here the sixth consecutive year, according to the who entered the state was free. will be needed to ensure a permanent hous- news release. The plant has expanded seven Today, Twilight’s house, the school where ing solution for all homeless people who are times, with $10.6 billion in investment, and he taught, and the dormitory he built still stand elderly or have serious disabilities, and we has 11,000 workers on site. as part of the Old Stone House Museum in look forward to working with you to fulfill ‘‘BMW changed the very fabric of our the Brownington Historic District. His legacy as this need. state’s economy when it decided to locate in an educator lives on through the Museum, 3. Section 101 would establish a $100 billion South Carolina nearly three decades ago,’’ where his ideals are reflected in the museum’s rental assistance fund in order to prevent a Gov. Henry McMaster said in the release. educational programs, community services wave of homelessness from sweeping across ‘‘That this great company built its 5 mil- and his personal collection. Twilight’s memory the nation and overwhelming homelessness lionth American-made vehicle in services providers. Many renters, who were Spartanburg should be a source of great is etched in Vermont’s higher learning institu- already spending unsustainable amounts of pride for our people and a reason for celebra- tions, such as Middlebury College’s Alexander their incomes on rent, are incurring signifi- tion. It’s one more example of South Caro- Twilight Hall and Alexander Twilight Audito- cant arrearages during state and federal linians sharing in the success of a company rium at Northern Vermont University—Lyndon. eviction moratoria, and they are in danger of that has become an integral part of our state I hope that Alexander Twilight will continue eviction when those moratoria expire. because of its dedication to our people.’’ to be remembered and celebrated as a pio- Your legislation offers homeless and f neer who persevered against long odds. He unstably-housed Americans hope and inspi- should also serve as a reminder of how far we ration during this terrible time, so thank HONORING ALEXANDER TWILIGHT you for your extraordinary leadership. have come as a nation, and how far we still Sincerely, have to go to achieve equality for all Ameri- STEVE BERG, HON. PETER WELCH cans, regardless of skin color, race or eth- Vice President for Programs and Policy, OF VERMONT nicity. National Alliance to End Homelessness. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f f Wednesday, July 1, 2020 PERSONAL EXPLANATION BMW PRODUCES 5 MILLION Mr. WELCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the birth HON. BRETT GUTHRIE HON. JOE WILSON of a trailblazing Vermonter, Alexander Lucius OF KENTUCKY OF SOUTH CAROLINA Twilight, and to honor his legacy. Alexander IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was not only the first African American to Wednesday, July 1, 2020 Wednesday, July 1, 2020 graduate from a U.S. college or university, but the first African American to serve in a state Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I was un- Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam legislature. In recognition of his contributions able to vote in person due to a family commit- Speaker, South Carolina has become Amer- and his legacy as a trailblazer, the Vermont ment. Had I been present, I would have voted ica’s number one exporter of autos with the legislature passed a resolution in June 2020 NAY on Roll Call No. 130. success of BMW and now enhanced with new marking his birthday, September 23, 2020, as f Volvo production and Mercedes vans. With the Alexander Twilight Day. IN RECOGNITION OF RAY PETER- vision of the late Governor Carroll Campbell Alexander was born on September 23, 1795 SEN’S DECADES OF REMARK- who recruited BMW, thousands of jobs have to mixed-race parents. His father, Ichabod ABLE PUBLIC SERVICE TO UTAH been achieved at BMW and its suppliers. Twilight, fought with the Second New Hamp- The achievements of 5 million produced by shire Regiment in the Revolutionary War. After HON. JOHN R. CURTIS BMW was highlighted by The Columbia Busi- the war, Ichabod and his wife, Mary, moved to OF UTAH ness Report of June 22nd: Bradford, Vermont. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BMW MANUFACTURING PASSES PRODUCTION Vermont’s 1777 constitution prohibited adult MILESTONE slavery, but the letter of the law was not re- Wednesday, July 1, 2020 BMW has made 5 million vehicles in flected in practice. In the decades following Mr. CURTIS. Madam Speaker, I rise to con- Spartanburg County. Vermont’s acceptance as the 14th state, Black The milestone U.S.-made BMW is a red X5 gratulate Mr. Ray Petersen on a remarkable M Competition equipped with a 617-horse- children were still held as slaves and all Black career of indispensable service to the great power M TwinPower Turbo V–8 engine, ac- Vermonters continued to face the threat of State of Utah. By virtue of Ray’s enduring cording to a news release. It was completed being kidnapped and sold out of state. Against commitment to overseeing proper land man- June 5 and will remain at the factory to be- this backdrop of widespread discrimination, agement practices, Emery County flourishes come part of the BMW history collection. Twilight graduated with a bachelor’s degree with beauty and opportunity. The residents of Others in the collection include the first car from Middlebury College in 1823. He is the Emery County, and the countless visitors who made at the plant. first known African American to receive a enjoy the region, have Ray to thank for his 18 ‘‘You cannot be successful in business if you do not have great products and great bachelor’s degree from any U.S. college or years as Emery County’s Public Lands Admin- people,’’ Knudt Flor, president and CEO of university. istrator, and his lifetime of public service to BMW Manufacturing, said in the news re- After he graduated, Twilight became a rural Utah. lease. ‘‘This BMW X5 M Competition is a teacher and a minister. He moved to New Ray has dedicated his career to addressing symbol of the success of our products and York to teach and married Mercy Ladd Merrill. critical rural issues. As a fourth-generation VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:34 Jul 02, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A01JY8.019 E01JYPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with REMARKS.