HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 961 Offered February 19, 2007 Commending American of Martinsville on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. ----------
Patrons-- Hurt, Armstrong and Marshall, D.W.; Senators: Hawkins and Reynolds
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WHEREAS, American of Martinsville, one of the world's leading suppliers of furniture to the hospitality and health care markets, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006; and

WHEREAS, American of Martinsville (AOM) was founded in 1906 by Ancil Davidson Witten and Charles Blackwell Keesee who saw a need to diversify the area's economy; and

WHEREAS, with only $30,000 in seed money, American of Martinsville started with a modest product line consisting exclusively of bedroom furniture, and in the early 1920s, the company added dining room furniture and began to expand the range of styles it offered; and

WHEREAS, American of Martinsville enjoyed steady, healthy growth for many years, and by 1979, it was the largest supplier of hotel and motel case goods in the world; and

WHEREAS, in 1988, AOM entered the health care market, concentrating on producing furniture for senior living facilities, and in 1989, the company surpassed $100 million in sales for the first time, a huge milestone for any business; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, AOM was acquired by LADD Furniture, Inc.; in 2000, both companies were sold to La-Z-Boy Incorporated and became divisions of one of the world's leading furniture producers; and in 2006, AOM was acquired by Hancock Park Associates, a firm that "invests in entrepreneurial, niche-oriented companies"; and

WHEREAS, American of Martinsville employs approximately 800 people overall, and its Henry County manufacturing facility today covers more than one million square feet and is designed to manufacture case goods and upholstery products in a timely and efficient manner for a discriminating customer; and

WHEREAS, through its willingness to adapt to market changes and always think about the future, AOM continues to grow and manufacture products that offer superior design, craftsmanship, and years of extraordinary performance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate American of Martinsville on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to American of Martinsville as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its many accomplishments and best wishes for future success.