(June 23, 2010) BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Lots of states have official flowers and official birds. Texas has official footwear. Vermont has an official flavor. And several states have official muffins. Kentucky now has an official state sports car — the Chevrolet Corvette.

Governor Steve Beshear performed a ceremonial signing of House Bill 104 at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant on Tuesday. He signed the official bill on April 26.

“As home to the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentuckians have long considered the Corvette to be Kentucky’s sports car and a great symbol of Kentucky pride and craftsmanship,””Beshear said. “House Bill 104, which was passed during the 2010 General Assembly, now makes that designation official. It was with great pleasure that I signed HB 104 into law.”

Bowling Green is home to both the General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant (the only place in the world Chevrolet Corvettes have been manufactured since 1981) and the National Corvette Museum, a non-profit foundation with a mission of celebrating the invention of the Corvette and preserving its past, present and future since 1994.

“This signing is particular important because the event is being held at the Corvette Plant – the only place in the world where Corvettes are built. I think it is important that the community comes together to celebrate the now Official Sports Car of Kentucky and America’s favorite sports car,” said Rep. Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, who was the primary sponsor of HB 104.

“This workforce uses precision and craftsmanship to build each and every Corvette, and they have been doing so in Kentucky for 29 years,” said GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant Manager Bob Parcell. “Our employees are excited to witness the ceremonial signing of the bill, and we appreciate the efforts of the state to add our iconic product to the list of state symbols.”

In addition to Gov. Beshear, other scheduled speakers included Rep. Richards; Plant Manager Parcell; Kentucky State Sen. Mike Reynolds; Kentucky State Rep. Jim DeCesare; Warren County Judge Executive Mike Buchanon, Elaine Walker, Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walk; and UAW Local 2164 Chairman Shane Colvard