(Laughter.)Īnd - and for most of the last century, we led the world - and it’s by significant margin, and - because we invested in our people, we invested in ourselves.Īnd something went wrong along the way here. Just looking at them and driving them, they just give me a sense of optimism, although I like the speed too. I’m here because the auto show and the vehicles here give me so many reasons to be optimistic about the future. I also want to thank the CEOs of all the major auto companies that are here today for leading the way. And we had an awful lot of carriers as well. We’re the largest Chrysler plant outside of Detroit, outside - and we had the largest GM plant. And - and it’s because we used to have a highest percentage of autoworkers of any state in the nation - higher than here - because we had such a small population.Īnd we had about - 14 percent of our entire population was - was autoworkers. And as the saying goes in Claymont, the city I moved to in Delaware when I was in third grade, “The UAW brung me to the dance.”Īnd I got elected in 1972 as a 29-year-old kid to the United States Senate. Where are you, Ray? (Applause.) Ray - there you are. A little bit like the governor is doing, fixing all your roads and everything else around here.īut anyway, look - and my friend, Ray Curry, is here. (Applause.) Everything from the restrooms in the stations to - (applause). Our Infrastructure Law, by the way, as we get off the airport today, you know - and I’m - this is not what this is about - we’re investing $80 million in your airports - $80 million. So, anyway, I want to thank everybody for being - look, and, Mike, thanks a lot for the passport into the city. Debbie is like my sister just tells me what to do, and usually she’s right. No, no, no.”īut guess what? She’s always right. I just - (laughter) - and by the way, as everyone will tell you, she’s - “Over here, Mr. (Laughter and applause.) I tell you what, I don’t screw around. You’ve - you’ve heard from Commander Dingell. My colleagues in the Senate, in the House. I just - you heard most everybody else speak so far. And I know every single neighborhood of most homes in your state - in your city.īut, anyway, thanks, Mike. None.” (Laughter.) And I put my hand - I put myself in the hands of your mayor. He said, “Joe, go fix Detroit.” I said, “Oh, no problem. We were sitting one day in the Oval Office - I swear to God - and President Obama turned to me. (Applause.) He had to spend more time with me - never thought, during the - during the last - not last - two administrations ago. (Applause.)Īnd I shouldn’t do this - we’re going to take a long time - but you got the best mayor in the United States of America, right here, in Duggan. You’re the best.Īnd that short guy next to you on your right - I don’t know, man. As my mother would say, “God love you, dear.” You’re the best. (Applause.) Where is the Gov? There you go, Gov. Governor Whitmer, thank you for the invitation today. And I say to your wife, “Child, no purgatory for you - straight to Heaven - being married to Ryan.” (Laughter.) I tell you. And I want to thank you, Ryan, for that introduction. On the back lawn of the White House, there’s still tire marks. THE PRESIDENT: (Laughs.) By the way, I drove all three of these vehicles - (applause) - in other places. You’ve - you’ve probably heard twice already everything I’m going to say. THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Detroit! (Applause.) You have chairs? They’re going to say you’ve been standing a hell of a long time if you don’t have any chairs there. Get Involved Show submenu for “Get Involved””.The White House Show submenu for “The White House””.Office of the United States Trade Representative.Office of Science and Technology Policy.Executive Offices Show submenu for “Executive Offices””.Administration Show submenu for “Administration””.