[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 80 (Thursday, June 16, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LAYOFFS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

  (Mr. McHENRY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday, my congressional office in 
Hickory, North Carolina, got news that Broyhill Industries, the big 
furniture company, would be cutting up to 1,009 jobs in Caldwell and 
Rutherford Counties. This is devastating to my people in my district. 
This is only one chapter in a long story of continuous layoffs in 
western North Carolina.
  My district, North Carolina's 10th, is called by the Almanac of 
American Politics the most blue-collar district in America. But many of 
those blue-collar jobs are being lost. The textile industry has been 
devastated. The furniture industry, we have lost a lot of jobs there as 
well. Towns Lenoir and Rutherfordton are only the latest chapter in a 
long series of job losses in the region.
  But I want my constituents to know, Mr. Speaker, that there is help, 
there is hope, and they can contact my congressional office.
  In Congress we cannot keep companies from closing, but there are some 
things we can do, and we will act and do what is right for our people 
and do what is best for our country.

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