[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF JARRETT STATIONARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2002

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, March 1, 2002, one of the most 
respected family-owned businesses in High Point, North Carolina, will 
celebrate its 100th birthday. On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth 
District of North Carolina, we wish to congratulate Jarrett Stationary 
on its first century of existence.
  ``We don't know the exact date when Gene Jarrett started the 
business, but it was in February 1902,'' David Wall, the store's 
president told the High Point Enterprise. Wall, a third-generation 
owner and a High Point City Councilman, told the newspaper, ``I figured 
holding the celebration on March 1 would help us cover the date 
properly. Ever since we got to 95 years, it seems like it's taken 
forever to get to 100 years, so I'm both proud and relieved that this 
time has finally come.''
  Because small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, Mr. Wall, 
all of us are proud that Jarrett Stationary has succeeded for 100 
years. Jarrett Stationary is the 16th oldest business entity in High 
Point according to the local Chamber of Commerce. Jarrett Stationary 
has had a rich and colorful history during its century in business.
  There have only been three presidents during its 100-year existence. 
Gene Jarrett ran the company for approximately 45 years. Thurman Wall, 
Jarrett's son-in-law, served as president before his son, David, 
assumed the role in 1981. The company also served as a bookstore during 
its first 40 years before concentrating on office supplies after World 
War II.
  It has been at its downtown North Wrenn Street location since 1929. 
Despite the glut of national office supply chains, and that many other 
small businesses have abandoned the downtown retail core, Jarrett 
Stationary has stayed and thrived. The future looks equally bright for 
Jarrett Stationary.
  In fact, the very name of the company has come up for discussion in 
the past. Though a Wall family member has run the business longer than 
a Jarrett, David Wall said there was never any real consideration to 
abandon the company name. ``Both my father and I thought about all 
those years that the good name of Jarrett Stationary has been built up 
in this city,'' Wall told the High Point Enteprise. ``In retail 
especially, if you have that, that's like money in the bank, so why 
change?''
  We concur that Jarrett Stationary should not change. It should 
continue to serve the people of High Point the same way it has for 100 
years. On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North 
Carolina, we congratulate Jarrett Stationary on its centennial 
celebration, and we offer our best wishes for the future.

                          ____________________