81R7777 JGH-D
By: Hardcastle H.R. No. 910
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Business owners play an essential role in
maintaining the economic vitality of Texas communities, and Rob
Storey of Nocona Athletic Goods Company demonstrated his stalwart
commitment to his employees and to his town following a crisis that
could have permanently closed this highly regarded enterprise; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1927 as the Nocona Leather Goods Company,
this signature North Texas business is celebrating its 75th
anniversary of manufacturing baseball mitts in 2009; the first
glove was made in 1934, after R. E. "Bob" Storey, a former Rice
University baseball player and Rob Storey's great-grandfather,
began working for the company; and
WHEREAS, Today, Nocona Athletic Goods Company is the only
company that still mass-produces baseball gloves in the United
States; it is the third-largest employer in Nocona, with a
workforce of 85 employees who make the renowned Nokona brand of
baseball mitt; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, an electrical short started a fire in the
company's 80-year-old factory, burning it to the ground; with many
jobs and the prosperity of the town on the line, Rob Storey, the
company's fourth-generation owner, immediately made a commitment
to keep the business going and to continue paying his entire staff;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Storey relocated the production line to a former
boot factory within a few days, and only two months later, the
firm's workers were once again producing finished gloves;
remarkably, he was able to save the business without laying anyone
off or missing a single payroll; and
WHEREAS, Through his actions, Rob Storey has demonstrated a
level of loyalty, compassion, and dedication to his community to
which others may aspire, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor him
for his outstanding achievement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Rob Storey of Nocona Athletic Goods
Company for preserving the jobs of his employees and the economy of
Nocona in the wake of a devastating fire and extend to him sincere
best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Storey as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.