News Releases
For Immediate Release - August 27, 1999
Contact: Anastasia Burton,
Press Secretary
(406) 444-5523
(HELENA)---Gov. Marc Racicot announced today another major gift to the Mike Mansfield Statue Fund. In a brief ceremony this morning in his office, the Governor accepted a $10,000 check from Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
It was presented by Mr. Jim Colon, General Manager of the Toyota Portland Region on behalf of Toyota and its eight Montana dealers. Mr. Colon said, "Since its establishment in the United States over 40 years ago, Toyota has shared Ambassador Mansfield's vision of global partnership. Toyota is proud to honor Mike Mansfield who throughout his life has placed the highest priority on service to his country, and fostered international understanding."
Montana's Toyota dealers include: Prestige Toyota, Billings; Ressler Toyota, Bozeman; Leipheimer Toyota, Butte; City Toyota, Great Falls; G & B Toyota, Havre; Capital Motors, Helena; Big Mountain Toyota, Kalispell; and Bitterroot Toyota of Missoula.
Gov. Racicot thanked Mr. Colon, Toyota and its eight Montana dealers for their gift. "We are very appreciative of this generous donation," the Governor said. "This gift puts us even closer to creating a permanent reminder of a most unique Montanan, who cultivated a kinship beyond Montana's borders that continues even today, to our mutual benefit and understanding."
The latest $10,000 gift pushes the Statue Fund total to above $60,000, well past the halfway mark in the privately-funded drive to raise approximately $80,000. At Gov. Racicot's suggestion, the 1999 Montana Legislature authorized placing such a statue in the Capitol, which is currently undergoing renovations.
Anyone interested in participating should send their tax-deductible donation to Gov. Marc Racicot,
Mike Mansfield Statue Fund, P.O. Box 200801, Helena MT 59620.
Former Governor Racicot's Page
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