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Last updated on Wednesday, October 19, 2016
(BLOOMINGTON) - As a reminder to all area residents of the rich heritage of RCA and the many contributions of its employees, Mayor John Hamilton has reissued a proclamation from October 20, 2015, when former Mayor Mark Kruzan proclaimed October 20 as RCA Day in Perpetuity:
WHEREAS, RCA's long, storied history in Bloomington, Indiana, dates back to June 17, 1940, when the first table model radio rolled off the assembly line at the company's new manufacturing plant. The popular model was named "Nipper," after the company's canine mascot, and quickly became a best-seller; and
WHEREAS, on September 5, 1941, the local plant reached an extraordinary production record when the one millionth Nipper radio was produced; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, the Bloomington RCA plant was used for wartime production, helping with the Navy's extremely secret "Madame X" project; and
WHEREAS, radio production resumed at the local plant just 40 days after V-J Day in September 1945, and RCA continued to be a well-respected brand throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, television production began at the plant in 1949, with the start of RCA's black and white sets. Production of the company's first color televisions started in 1954; and
WHEREAS, throughout the next four decades, the Bloomington facility flourished, and remained on the cutting edge of radio and television technology; and
WHEREAS, over the years, thousands of men and women from Bloomington and surrounding counties worked at RCA, taking pride in manufacturing quality products that were distributed around the world; and
WHEREAS, RCA's contributions to the economic vitality of Bloomington were significant. Working at the manufacturing facility allowed employees to achieve the American dream of owning a home and providing their children with a quality education; and
WHEREAS, the closing of the local RCA plant in 1998 truly marked the end of an era in Bloomington, but the plant will long be remembered by former employees, their friends and family; and
WHEREAS, for generations to come, RCA Park will remain a fitting tribute to the remarkable dedication and accomplishments of Bloomington's RCA workers.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark Kruzan, Mayor of the City of Bloomington, do hereby proclaim October 20th as RCA Day in Perpetuity in Bloomington, Indiana.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have here unto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of the City of Bloomington this 19th day of October 2015.
Mayor Hamilton commented, "It speaks to the quality of the company that many former employees still gather to reminisce about their time together while employed at RCA. This Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. it will be appropriate that they will gather in RCA Park - named in recognition of the company that meant so much to this community and the world."
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