[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              LA-Z-BOY SOUTH COMMEMORATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GREGG HARPER

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2010

  Mr. HARPER. Madam Speaker, on June 16, 2010, employees, retirees and 
the company leadership of La-Z-Boy South celebrated 50 years of 
production. La-Z-Boy founders, Edward M. Knabusch and Edwin J. 
Shoemaker opened the Newton, Mississippi plant in 1960 when they were 
seeking to expand production. The Newton facility has grown to 800,000 
square feet from the original 60,000 when the plant officially opened. 
The company credits this half century of success to the men and women 
of the La-Z-Boy family and to the support they have received from the 
Newton community.
  Founded in Monroe, Michigan, Newton, Mississippi was selected as the 
first out-of-state plant because of the friendly people and the city's 
access to raw materials. The first recliner was produced on June 6, 
1960, and was raffled off during the opening of a local supermarket. 
Since that time, La-Z-Boy South has celebrated many milestones 
including the December 9, 1980 production of its three-millionth chair 
and the September 17, 2003 production of its 10-millionth chair. Now 
employing 600 Newton-area residents, the Mississippi facility produces 
over one hundred different styles of furniture and custom-builds 1,100 
pieces every day.
  This facility has spurred economic growth in Mississippi outside of 
the Newton community. From manufacturing to shipping to management, the 
economy has blossomed as Lay-Z-Boy's business has increased nationally. 
In appreciation to the community, La-Z-Boy South has made contributions 
to many local businesses and organizations, as well as numerous 
charities and youth programs.
  In today's struggling economy, La-Z-Boy has maintained a skilled 
workforce providing optimism for many hard-working Mississippians. As 
our nation continues to recover from the economic slide, our state will 
rely on successful companies like La-Z-Boy to provide work for jobless 
Mississippians. I congratulate La-Z-Boy for 50 years of manufacturing 
excellence and for their involvement in the Newton community and the 
state of Mississippi.

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