[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 160 (Tuesday, November 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1637-E1638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE MARTIN GUITAR COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2013

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, Congressman 
Matt Cartwright (PA-17) to honor the Martin Guitar Company in Nazareth, 
Pennsylvania, on the occasion of their 180th anniversary. For nearly 
two centuries, Martin Guitar has contributed to the musical culture of 
America by producing some of the finest acoustic instruments on the 
market.
   The story of Martin Guitar's beginning is uniquely American. The 
company's founder, Christian Frederick Martin, Sr., was born in 
Markneukirchen, Saxony (now Germany) on 31 January 1796. He became an 
apprentice guitar maker at the age of 15, and after showing much 
promise in his early years, opened his own shop. After struggling to 
run a successful business among Europe's warring trade guilds, Martin 
determined to seek his fortune in the United States. In 1883, he set up 
a modest shop in New York City. After five years of hard work, Martin 
was able to sell his humble store and purchase eight acres of land in 
Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where the company continues to grow and thrive 
today.

[[Page E1638]]

   The Martin brand and production line grew steadily through the 
latter half of the 19th century, during which Martin was responsible 
for numerous advancements in guitar design, such as a bracing system 
for guitar stops that is still widely used today. The marriage of 
innovation and craftsmanship was responsible for creating instruments 
that would become synonymous with quality among professional and 
amateur musicians alike.
   When C.F. Martin, Sr., passed away in 1873 he left the business to 
his son, Christian Frederick Martin, Jr. This was the beginning of a 
proud tradition of family leadership that has continued to this day, 
with C.F. Martin IV, being the sixth member of his family to run the 
business. As a 21st century company, Martin Guitar has made a concerted 
effort to source wood in an environmentally sustainable manner, leading 
the industry in the acceptance of alternative wood species. Although 
times have changed, Martin Guitar's commitment to producing outstanding 
musical instruments has not. Today, Martin Guitar is a pillar of the 
Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, a major employer in the region, and a 
shining example of American workmanship.
   Mr. Speaker, in closing, we would like to extend our sincerest 
congratulations to the Martin Guitar Company and the Martin Family on 
180 years of excellence and wish them all the best in the years ahead.

                          ____________________