The Pennsylvania Senate honored Harley-Davidson last week will a special proclamation acknowledging Willie G. Davidson, the Davidson family, and the MoCo for 50 years of assembling motorcycles at the York, Pennsylvania, manufacturing plant.
This proclamation comes during a big year for Harley-Davidson, as the company has been celebrating its 120th anniversary. It also follows the release of a new memoir by Willie G. Davidson titled Ride Free, in which he writes about the York plant. The proclamation recognizes the plant’s role in York, as well as Pennsylvania at large, as well as Willie G.’s contribution to the plant’s stability and “tradition of excellence.” The proclamation also “extends warmest wishes for a future replete with ever-increasing success.”
Read the full proclamation in the press release below.
Harrisburg, PA — Last week, the Pennsylvania Senate issued a proclamation honoring Willie G. Davidson, the Davidson family and Harley-Davidson, Inc. for 120 years of continuous motorcycle production and 50 years of assembling motorcycles in the company’s York, Pennsylvania, manufacturing plant.
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Willie G. Davidson, Harley-Davidson’s Chief Styling Officer Emeritus, recently published a memoir that chronicles company history and his life as a descendant of the founders and a leader of the iconic company. He makes mention of the York manufacturing plant several times in the book, titled “Ride Free, A Memoir.”
The recognition for Davidson and Harley-Davidson was led by Pennsylvania Sen. Chris Gebhard and Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill. The ceremony presenting the citation took place outside the capitol building in Harrisburg on Oct. 25, 2023, and was attended by government officials, Harley-Davidson dealers, riders, Harley-Davidson’s General Manager of York Manufacturing Chris Yurista Sr., and Karen Davidson, Harley-Davidson marketing director and daughter of Willie G. Davidson.
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The citation from the State of Pennsylvania reads as follows:
In the Senate,
Whereas, The Senate of Pennsylvania takes great pride in recognizing those businesses which stand the test of time and continue to offer quality products and services to customers throughout this Commonwealth; and
Whereas, Harley-Davidson, Inc., is celebrating the momentous occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of its York plant; and
Whereas, Observing its one hundred twentieth anniversary in 2023, Harley-Davidson Inc., was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1903 by William Harley and brothers Arthur, William and Walter Davidson. In February 1973, American Machine and Foundry assembled the first Harley-Davidson motorcycle at its York plant. Now known as Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations, the York facility assembles the Touring, Softail, CVO and Trike models and performs a variety of manufacturing operations. It also offers free factory tours and is home to a gift shop and the Vaughn L. Beals Tour Center, which allows visitors to explore exhibits that detail the manufacturing and assembly processes of the factory.
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Willie G. Davidson, the grandson of one of the original founders, along with his wife, Nancy and their children Michael, Bill and Karen, were instrumental in the stability of the York plant. Since its inception, Harley-Davidson, Inc., has maintained a tradition of excellence, remaining responsive to the ever-changing interests of the community it serves. Its steady progress is a tribute to key leaders and dedicated employees who have carried it to its present heights and built a foundation for a bright future.
Now therefore, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania joins with Harley-Davidson, Inc., in celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of its York plant; extends warmest wishes for a future replete with ever-increasing success;
And directs that a copy of this document, sponsored by Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill and Senator Chris Gebhard, be transmitted to Harley-Davidson, Inc., 1425 Eden Road, York, Pennsylvania.
Click here for more information about or to order Willie G.’s memoir, Ride Free.
