Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Harley donates Low Rider to special mom

May 11th, 2007Press ReleaseNEW YORK CITY –

Today Harley-Davidson and “Live with Regis and Kelly” helped Mary Jo Hamre, of McFarland, Wis., realize her motorcycle dreams. As part of their 17th Annual Mom’s Dream Come True special, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa surprised Hamre with the keys to a brand new 2007 Harley-Davidson FXDL Dyna™ Low Rider® and Rider’s Edge® New Rider Training Course gift certificate.

Hamre’s husband, James, nominated Mary Jo for the Mother’s Day special, showcasing her consistent acts of selflessness that make her a special mom. Among other things, Mary Jo has been a volunteer firefighter and EMT, Special Olympics volunteer, home builder for a needy family in Juarez, Mexico and current full time college student … and somehow she makes time to care for a family of six!

“Mary Jo is the type of individual who gives all of herself to the point where there is little or no reserve for herself,” wrote James. “I think that [Live’s help] is the only way for Mary Jo’s dream to truly happen as [she] gives so much of herself that even the thought of taking time for herself, her dreams, is not addressed due to her exhaustion at day’s ends.”

After hearing Mary Jo’s story, Harley-Davidson Motor Company jumped at the opportunity to help one mom’s dream come true. “Mary Jo epitomizes the adventurous spirit of our riders,” said Leslie Prevish, manager of product communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Most women ride to experience feelings of freedom, adventure and empowerment. Riding is also a great stress-reliever, which we’re sure Mary Jo, as a busy mom and tireless volunteer, will appreciate as she starts her motorcycle journey.”

“Live” also fulfilled Hamre’s wish to skydive for the first time, and flew her to New York City to take part in the “Mom’s Dream Come True” taping, during which her Harley-Davidson surprise took place on national television.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Harley Museum


Harley-Davidson museum reaches construction milestone May 4, 2007 MILWAUKEE, WI

-- Construction workers erected the last steel beam Friday morning for the Harley-Davidson Inc. motorcycle museum under construction in the Menomonee Valley. Harley-Davidson marked the milestone with an event at the construction site near South Sixth and West Canal streets.
During the ceremony, a crane lifted the beam up to two construction workers positioned 80 feet above ground level, marking the museum's highest point. Three buildings totaling about 130,000 square feet currently are under construction on the 20-acre site. "This is a really exciting and important milestone," museum director Stacey Schiesl said. "We're so happy to be at this point in the project." Although the company hasn't given any firm date for the completion of the project, it's expected that the museum will be completed some time in 2008. That year represents the company's 105th anniversary. Harley-Davidson broke ground on the $75 million project in June 2006. In all, 1,300 tons of steel have been erected at the site, Schiesl said. An outer wall of the museum that features hand-cut bricks that spell out "Harley-Davidson" also has been completed. An evergreen tree was anchored to the last steel beam as part of the "topping off" ceremony, which included elements of a Scandanavian tradition that dates back more than 1,000 years, Schiesl said. The tradition is said to have begun as a way to appease the tree-dwelling spirits that had been displaced because of construction. The ceremony has morphed over time and the tree has come to symbolize growth and good luck. Workers also attached an American flag to the beam. "It wasn't all that long ago we were standing here for the ground breaking," Harley-Davidson president and chief executive officer James Ziemer said. Progress in the construction shows that Harley-Davidson has overcome the "speed bumps" it experienced in deciding where to locate the museum. "This, by far, is the best location," Ziemer said. "It was destiny that took us here."