Obama Lights Up Schenectady
General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt introduced President Barack Obama at the GE facility, welcoming him to "the birthplace of GE more than 100 years ago."
GE has 7,000 employees in the Capital Region, Immelt said, and "I know that this team can compete with anyone."
Obama greeted the crowd, announcing assembled dignitaries, particularly "The outstanding mayor of Schenectady, who flew up with me. He looked like he was having a pretty good time: Brian Stratton is here."
GE is "part of a proud tradition" but "a lot has changed since those early days," he said. "We've seen our economy transform by rising competition from around the globe."
He mentioned that "upstate New York and places like it have seen their fair share of hard times. ... What has never changed is that America is still home to the most creative and innovative people in the world."
Noting last year's opening of GE's renewable energy plant in Schenectady, Obama said, "Our challenge ... is to harness this spirit, to harness this potential, to start and expand new business, hire and grow new workers."
"You guys are models of what's possible," he said.
But the U.S. needs to do more in the global economy, Obama said.
"In this ever-shrinking world what we build in Schenectady we can sell in Shanghai. We need to export more goods around the world. That's where the customers are."
The president and business leaders, including Immelt, met with Chinese leaders this week and struck a deal to open Chinese markets to more U.S. products.
"Open our markets to two-way trade, not just one-way trade," Obama said to loud applause.
He also noted new trade deals with South Korea and India, saying GE is going to sell advanced turbines to India.
"This plant is what that trip was all about," he said.
En route to Schenectady, Air Force One touched down at Albany International Airport shortly after noon.
Obama, followed by U.S. senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand; and representatives Paul Tonko and Chris Gibson and Stratton, were greeted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings.
Obama shook hands with people in a crowd of supporters who were allowed onto airport property to meet the President.
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