Congressman Sander Levin

The "Keep It Made in America" National Bus Tour, which organizers say brings awareness about the industry and an estimated 7.2 million jobs it supports, kicked off in Dearborn before making stops in Hamtramck, Sterling Heights and Pontiac. The tour will hit 10 other states through Thursday.

In Sterling Heights, hundreds of members of UAW Local 1700 cheered as speakers voiced their support for the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, slated for closure as a part of the Chrysler restructuring. U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, held up a sign swiped from the crowd saying "Mr. President Keep Our Plants Open." He was followed by U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township.

(####)