Schumer Urges White House To Use Products Really “Made In The USA”, Like Flatware From Sherrill Manufacturing In Oneida County
Sherrill Manufacturing Is The Last Maker Of Flatware In The USA
Schumer: This Is A Sterling Opportunity For Sherrill Manufacturing
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the White House to stock their cabinets and drawers with silverware and other dining products that are proudly stamped “Made in America.” Schumer specifically pointed to Oneida County’s flatware manufacturer, Sherrill Manufacturing, America’s last manufacturer of flatware. Schumer said allowing the president, visiting heads of state and other dignitaries to dine with American-made flatware is a great way to substantively and symbolically support American-made products, and will send a positive message to United States’ manufacturers and their employees. Schumer’s efforts come after Sherrill Manufacturing sent a sample of their ‘Betsy Ross’ flatware line, one of twenty-two patterns they offer, to the White House last week.
“America’s economic backbone is held together by a strong manufacturing industry. That’s exactly why I’m calling on the White House to stock up on ‘Made in America’ dining products like the flatware made by hardworking men and women at Sherrill Manufacturing in Oneida County. There is no better way to display America’s greatest workforce and high-quality products then the White House using ‘Made in America’ products every day, and during special events like State Dinners. Hopefully, the White House will heed my call so head of states will sip their soup, cut their steak and bite on forks made right here in America,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer.
Schumer has always been a strong advocate for New York’s manufacturing industry, including companies like Sherrill Manufacturing. Most recently, he successfully pushed the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to remove nearly a dozen companies falsely touting that their products were “USA-made” on government websites. Schumer said this was not only misleading to agencies and other customers looking to buy from companies producing American-made goods, but it threatened to put companies like Sherrill at a competitive disadvantage.
Schumer’s letter to the White House Chief Usher’s Office Appears below:
Office of the Chief Usher,
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave N.W
Washington D.C., 20500
As the new administration begins its work on behalf of the American people, I urge you to use products proudly stamped “Made in the USA”– during White House functions and in the course of regular operations. Specifically, I’d encourage you to use flatware made by hard working men and women in Oneida County, New York. This facility is America’s last and only manufacturer of flatware, and by supporting these employees and their business you can demonstrate clearly that the White House believes in American-Made products. Allowing the First Family, visiting guests and dignitaries to dine with American-made flatware is an ideal way to substantively and symbolically support American-made products, and will send a positive message to United States’ manufacturers and their employees.
Sherrill Manufacturing, which has launched its own brand, Liberty Tabletop, employs scores of New Yorkers and is rightly proud of its high-quality, American-made flatware. In fact, its products are currently the only American-made flatware; all other flatware companies currently produce their products overseas. Sherrill Manufacturing offers 22 patterns of flatware and has recently sent itsBetsy Ross line to the White House as a sample.
I believe strongly that we should prioritize the purchase of American-made products, and support American workers, when federal tax dollars are being used. In fact, on numerous pieces of funding legislation, I have regularly championed various “Buy American” provisions to accomplish just this goal. I think it makes compelling sense to feature a superb, American-made product like flatware produced in Upstate New York in the iconic home of the American people. Applying this Buy America principle to the flatware used at the White House will provide a much needed boost to Central New York’s workforce.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer
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