![Biden Hypes Up Belvidere, Illinois in State of the Union Address](https://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2024/03/attachment-BIDEN.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Biden Hypes Up Belvidere, Illinois in State of the Union Address
"A great comeback story is Belvidere, Illinois. Home to an auto plant for nearly 60 years"
That's what the world heard tonight during President Biden's State of the Union Address.
In a speech that lasted about an hour and 8 minutes and ended just after 9:30 pm Central time, a major highlight of his address featured the "comeback" of the Chrysler - Steallntis Plant.
READ MORE: 10 Illinois Small Towns Definitely Worth a Visit
Here's a transcription of the portion of President Biden's State of the Union Address tonight (Thursday 3/7) that featured Belvidere, Illinois:
Before I came into office the plant was on its way to shutting down, Thousands of workers feared for their livelihoods, hope was fading. Then I was elected to office and we raised the Belvidere (plant) repeatedly with auto companies knowing unions would make all the difference. The UAW worked like hell to keep the plant open, to get these jobs back and together we succeeded. Instead of auto factories shutting down, auto factories are reopening. A new state-of-the-art battery factory is being built to power those cars there at the same. To the folks of Belvidere, I say instead of your town being left behind, your community is moving forward again, because instead of watching auto jobs of the future go overseas, 4,000 union jobs with higher wages are building the future in Belvidere right here in America.
UAW President Shawn Fain was in the audience at the State of the Union and took a bow when he was acknowledged by President Biden. Fain pointed back at President Biden while appearing to mouth the words "Thank you, thank you."
![Rockford's New Country Q98.5 logo](https://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2024/07/attachment-900.jpg?w=100)
Dawn Simms, Belvidere resident and third-generation worker at the auto plant was also recognized in President Biden's speech to the country.
Biden said he was "proud to be the first President to stand in the picket line, and today Dawn has a good job in her hometown providing stability for her family and pride and dignity as well."
He then added that the story of Belvidere showed once again that "Wall Street didn't build America, they're not bad guys, they didn't build it though, the middle class built the country, and unions built the middle class."
LOOK: This is where homes are selling the fastest right now
Gallery Credit: Stacker
More From Rockford's New Country Q98.5
![The 10 Best Lazy River Floating Adventures in Illinois](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2023/05/attachment-IL-Float.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Illinois Man Faces Murder Charges in 2021 Death of Fiancée](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2024/07/attachment-BEACON.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Disco Chicken’s New Restaurant is Officially Open in Downtown Rockford](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2023/11/attachment-Untitled-design-28.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fire at Rockford Apartment Complex Causes $275,000 in Damages](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2024/07/attachment-FIRE.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Brawler from Rockford, Illinois Starring in Season 3 of Dana White’s Power Slap](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2024/07/attachment-SLAP-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Illinois Weather May Get Into the Hottest Stretch of Summer Beginning Next Week](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2024/07/attachment-Heat.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Important News for Illinois Low Income Families Receiving TANF Payments](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2156717876-Daniel-Boczarski.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rockford Needs Help To Save Parks From Disgusting Vandals](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-24T150142.149.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Best Burritos Are Served at These Illinois Food Joints](http://townsquare.media/site/723/files/2024/04/attachment-Burrito.jpg?w=980&q=75)