[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTIN GUITAR FACTORY

 Mr. CASEY. Mr President, today I congratulate the Martin 
Guitar Factory, in Nazareth, PA, on celebrating 175 years of successful 
guitar making. C.F. Martin & Co. has continually produced the highest 
level of craftsmanship, design, quality, and tone for the acoustic 
guitar for over a century and a half.
  Established in 1833, the Martin Guitar Factory has been at the 
leading edge of guitar manufacturing for six generations. The founder 
of Martin Guitar, Christian Frederick Martin, Sr., was born in 1796 in 
Germany and began the craft at the young age of 15. Since the guild 
system in Germany limited the opportunities for guitar production, C.F. 
Martin, Sr., decided to emigrate to the United States in the 1830s. 
Martin Guitar set up shop in New York City for 6 years before finally 
settling in the Lehigh Valley in 1839. After a century and a half of 
success in guitar manufacturing, C.F. Martin & Co. continues to produce 
the finest quality American acoustic guitars today. Each year, Martin 
Guitar manufactures and ships approximately 170,000 guitars all over 
the world and welcomes over 21,000 visitors to its factory in Nazareth, 
Northampton County. Martin Guitars have been played by some of our 
Nation's greats, such as Elvis and Johnny Cash, and are still being 
played today by Eric Clapton, Beck, Willie Nelson, and John Mayer, to 
name just a few.
  In addition to Martin Guitar's accomplishments and I believe this is 
key, the company has demonstrated incredible staying power through six 
generations. C.F. Martin & Co. is the oldest surviving manufacturer of 
guitars in the world and is thus an extraordinary model to other 
businesses. I am proud to say that C.F. Martin & Co. has long been and 
will remain a vital staple of the Lehigh Valley.
  Special recognition for this anniversary belongs to the sixth 
generation chairman and CEO Mr. Christian F. Martin IV, and the hard-
working staff of Martin Guitar, for continuing the long standing 
tradition of crafting America's finest acoustic guitars. It is with 
great pride that I congratulate the Martin Guitar Factory on 175 
outstanding years of achievement. 

                          ____________________