President George W. Bush will host the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom on Sea Island, Georgia from June 8 through 10 for the 30th gathering of the G8 leaders.
During their meeting each of the G8 leaders will travel around the island on DaimlerChrysler Corporations GEM electric vehicles. GEM is an American manufacturer of all electric vehicles located in Fargo, North Dakota.
The GEM vehicles are classified as zero emissions vehicles. Designated by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration as low speed vehicles, the electric cars are about 10 feet long and weigh over 1,200 pounds.
These are amazing cars and are ideal for our needs. They look great, function flawlessly, and are sensitive to the environment,said Barry Bennett, director of Communications for the summit.
When the Summit is over, the GEM cars will be auctioned for charity. Other legacies of the Summit will be housed at the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum on Sea Island, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced Wedesday.
We are honored that President Bush has selected coastal Georgia as the site of this esteemed international meeting and we're grateful for the opportunity to expose our beautiful coastline to the world, said Governor Sonny Perdue. The lighthouse is the single most distinctive and recognizable symbol on St. Simons and is the most appropriate venue in which to showcase this historic event and educate future generations. The project will be housed in a new state-of-the-art Coastal Heritage Center on the lighthouse grounds. A St. Simons Light has continually provided navigational guidance to vessels off the Atlantic Coast since 1807.
Fred Cooper, chairman of the G8 Host Committee said, Together we will work to create a legacy that not only highlights the significance of the 2004 G8 Summit, but also incorporates coastal Georgia's character and unique ecology, such as its sea turtles, shrimping industry and pristine shoreline.
Loading...