[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 31, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H4866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE CITY OF THOMASVILLE'S 150TH BIRTHDAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2001, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, the city of Thomasville, North Carolina, will 
celebrate its 150th birthday in 2002.
  When one thinks of Thomasville, there are many things that come to 
mind: Thomasville Furniture Industries, the Big Chair, the Baptist 
Children's Orphanage, Everybody's Day, textiles, and high school 
football.
  Thomasville was named for State Senator John W. Thomas, who helped 
pioneer the construction of the first railroad across North Carolina 
and, in 1852, created the town of Thomasville around the hustle and 
bustle of the State's first railroad. In 1857, Thomas finally obtained 
a charter for the town from the North Carolina General Assembly.
  The town of Thomasville grew rapidly with wooden household furniture 
manufacturing becoming the mainstay of the local economy. Eventually, 
Thomasville became known as ``The Chair Town'' due to the fact that the 
products that the Thomasville Chair Company, which eventually became 
Thomasville Furniture Industries, were almost exclusively simple, 
sturdy, straight-back chairs.
  Today, Thomasville remains an international center for furniture 
manufacturing; and Thomasville Furniture Industries, its leading 
manufacturer, has made the name Thomasville known around the globe.
  In 1922, in an effort to take advantage of its reputation as ``The 
Chair Town,'' Thomasville Chair Company erected a gigantic chair in the 
middle of the town square. The project kept three men working 20 hours 
a day for 1 week and took the same amount of lumber that would have 
been required to construct 100 ordinary chairs.
  Unfortunately, after 15 years of exposure, the local chair was torn 
down in 1936. Due to the Depression and the advent of World War II, 
another chair was not built until 1948. In 1948, once again, 
Thomasville Chair Company spearheaded the effort to construct another 
chair, and a decision was made to construct a chair that would stand 
the test of time.
  The concrete chair was a reproduction of the original Duncan Phyfe 
armchair. Today, the monument stands almost 30 feet high and overlooks 
the downtown square. In addition to the chair, downtown Thomasville is 
home to North Carolina's oldest railroad depot which today houses the 
Thomasville Visitors Center.
  Another one of Thomasville's significant contributions is its 
commitment to the Mills Home Baptist Children's Orphanage, the largest 
orphanage in the South outside of Texas. The orphanage provides a wide 
array of very important children's services to the local and State 
communities.
  One of the longest held traditions in Thomasville, Mr. Speaker, is 
Everybody's Day. We continue to observe it. The first Everybody's Day 
Festival was held in Thomasville in 1908 and is North Carolina's oldest 
festival.
  In 1910, the Amazon Cotton Mill, one of the Cannon chain of textile 
mills, opened its doors as did the Jewell cotton mills that same year. 
Jewell was a result of investments contributed by local investors in 
the community. Both these mills served as a catalyst for what would 
become a very vibrant industry, which still exists today.
  Last, but certainly not least, Thomasville is home to a long and rich 
high school football tradition, a tradition of champions begun under 
the days of Coach George Cushwa, a beloved coach and teacher. In fact, 
the current football stadium bears his name. Under Cushwa's tutelage 
emerged an individual in whom many place their hopes for continued 
success. This man, Coach Allen Brown, did not let the fans down.
  Leading the Bulldogs to several State champions and guiding them 
through the maze of several conference realignments, he was always able 
to keep his team focused and the fans engaged, continuing in the great 
tradition of his predecessor.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, the Bulldogs are led by yet another great leader 
and former quarterback, Benjie Brown, who follows in the footsteps of 
his dad, Allen Brown, and Coach Cushwa.
  Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, Thomasville is a vibrant city whose 
future looms bright, and it is truly an honor for me to be able to 
recognize this fine city, the Chair Capital of the World on the House 
floor and wish it well as it begins its celebration for its 150th 
birthday next year.

                          ____________________