Recognizing Briggs Stratton and the Workers of Poplar Bluff

Floor Speech

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Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly extraordinary achievement by one of Missouri's most dedicated employers--Briggs & Stratton--and to recognize the men and women of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, whose skill, dedication, and hard work have made this moment possible.

This past June, the Briggs & Stratton facility in Poplar Bluff achieved a milestone that few manufacturers in American history can claim: the production of its 100 millionth engine. These are the very engines that power lawnmowers and outdoor equipment that families and workers across our nation rely on every single day.

Briggs & Stratton is a pillar of the Poplar Bluff community. For nearly four decades, through economic cycles, industry disruptions, and moments of national uncertainty, Briggs & Stratton chose to stay in Poplar Bluff to invest in this community, to employ its residents, and to build something lasting here in the heart of Missouri.

The workers of this facility are the true authors of this milestone, with many of them giving decades of their lives to this plant. Look no further than brothers Jerry and Billy Young, who have both dedicated over 30 years of service to this facility. They, alongside so many others who have followed in the footsteps of a parent or relative on these same lines, are the definition of the American worker: skilled, loyal, and proud. The economic impact of this facility on Poplar Bluff and Butler County has been profound. For 37 years, Briggs & Stratton has provided family-sustaining wages, supported local suppliers and businesses, contributed to the tax base that funds schools and infrastructure, and invested in the community that has been its home. This is what a company that believes in the American worker and the American community looks like.

American manufacturing is alive, strong, and flourishing in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Briggs & Stratton, its leadership, and above all the dedicated workforce of the Poplar Bluff facility on this remarkable achievement.

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