[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 174 (Thursday, January 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING STEELCASE FOR 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL HUIZENGA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 3, 2013

  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
a great West Michigan company and leader in the office furniture 
industry. Steelcase, Inc. began serving Grand Rapids, MI in 1912 as the 
Metal Office Furniture Company. Today, Steelcase is known as a company 
of innovation and integrity.
  Since the creation of its first product, the fireproof metal 
wastebasket, Steelcase was able to look forward in innovation and 
safety. Steelcase continued to move forward in the world of office 
furniture, when in 1953, they became the first in the industry to 
produce office furniture in colors. Examples of Steelcase's attention 
to creativity and safety continued to be shown throughout the years. 
Steelcase ultimately proved itself to be a company that cared about 
much more.
  Steelcase has also been a company that focuses on its people and 
their capabilities. This is easily seen in their diversity and 
community leadership programs. Steelcase employs fair and honest hiring 
practices, and seeks to raise awareness of diversity issues by creating 
partnerships with other companies that support diversity.
  Steelcase has demonstrated a commitment to local involvement, 
contributing to over 100 community organizations around the United 
States. Additionally that philanthropic spirit carries over into the 
culture of the Steelcase team, where the employees volunteered nearly 
4,500 hours of community service in 2010 alone.
  These ideals continue to set Steelcase apart, and the company is now 
recognized as a symbol of excellence around the world. Steelcase now 
employs over 11,000 people worldwide, and 3,500 people in West 
Michigan. Today, the company's product line has expanded to over 500 
items, and serves over 110,000 companies around the globe.
  Steelcase has proven itself to be a company built on great ideas, and 
continues to live up to this model as they move forward. Steelcase has 
recently introduced the ``100 Dreams, 100 Minds, 100 Years'' program. 
The movement looks to create a dialogue with people from around the 
world, and showcase their ideas and perspectives in a film centered on 
the future of the changing world of work.
  Thank you, Steelcase, for your commitment to the Second District, the 
greater Grand Rapids area, and happy 100th anniversary.

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