[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ART VAN FURNITURE

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                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th 
Anniversary of Art Van Furniture, an iconic fixture in the retail world 
of Michigan that was founded by Art Van Elslander, a much admired and 
prominent figure in the metro-Detroit community.
  The story of Art Van Elslander and the rise of Art Van Furniture to 
its dominant position in the retail furniture world is the American 
Dream fully realized. As a son of Belgian immigrants and growing up on 
Detroit's east side, Archie ``Art'' Van Elslander's entrepreneurial 
spirit shone brightly even as a youngster when he hawked newspapers up 
and down Detroit's Gratiot Avenue. After high school, military service 
and working at a local furniture store, Mr. Van Elslander entered the 
world of entrepreneurs. Heeding his father's advice to ``control your 
own destiny,'' Mr. Van Elslander mortgaged his home and borrowed 
against insurance policies to finance his first store.
  Through times both flourishing and faltering in the subsequent years, 
the fortunes of Art Van Furniture ebbed and flowed with the economic 
cycles of the Michigan economy. Ultimately, it grew to more than 30 
locations across Michigan and employing more than 2500. Over the years, 
Art Van Furniture has adapted to the changing environment, and quite 
literally so. Art Van has been named a ``GreenTailer'' by the Michigan 
Retailers Association after adopting a variety of Earth-friendly 
practices ranging from the installation of Energy Management Systems to 
recycling tons of waste. It has been continually named as one of West 
Michigan's Best and Brightest places to work.
  Over the past 50 years, Art Van has grown to be Michgan's largest 
furniture retailer. And during those years, Art Van Elslander became 
renowned and admired as a pillar of the philanthropic community and a 
stalwart business leader committed to Michigan and its citizens. Madam 
Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my salute today to Art Van 
Elslander on 50 years of vision, perseverance and ``giving back'' to 
our community; and to Art Van Furniture and each of its thousands of 
employees over the years, on 50 years of business growth and success.

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