A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the memory of John deere and recognizing the contributions of deere & company.
Whereas, John Deere was born in Rutland, Vermont, on February 7, 1804, and was trained as a blacksmith; and
Whereas, John Deere developed the first successful steel plow, which had a tremendous impact on the growth of agriculture in the United States; and
Whereas, John Deere founded the company that bore his name in 1837, which later became Deere & Company in 1868; and
Whereas, Deere & Company is currently the world's leading manufacturer of agriculture and forestry equipment, a major manufacturer of construction equipment, and a leading supplier of equipment used in lawn, grounds, and turf care; and
Whereas, Deere & Company employs more than 46,000 employees worldwide and does business in more than 160 countries; and
Whereas, Deere & Company has made an impact in the State of North Carolina with more than 2,000 North Carolinians employed in four business operations across the State; and
Whereas, Cary is the location of the John Deere Commercial and Consumer Equipment Division's Worldwide Headquarters, which administers the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of commercial mowing products, homeowner lawn tractors, utility vehicles, utility tractors, and other machinery, and distributes these products to 60 countries; and
Whereas, in Kernersville, Deere & Company and Hitachi jointly manufacture hydraulic excavators, which are widely used in the construction industry; and
Whereas, in Fuquay‑Varina, John Deere Turf Care produces a multitude of commercial and consumer grounds care products, which are mainly used for golf course maintenance; and
Whereas, Charlotte is the site of the Deere & Company's SouthEast Engineering Center, which focuses on engineering, technological development, testing, and supply management for agriculture, commercial, and consumer equipment; and
Whereas, there are 99 John Deere dealerships across the State that greatly contribute to the State's economy as employers, purchasers of goods and services, and as taxpaying businesses; and
Whereas, Deere & Company spends more than $168 million annually through 630 North Carolina suppliers; and
Whereas, Deere & Company supports numerous charitable organizations throughout the State, enhancing the quality of life for North Carolina's citizens; and
Whereas, Deere & Company has upheld the values of quality, integrity, innovation, and commitment first shown by the company's founder, John Deere, for 168 years; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of John Deere, an innovator in agriculture and business, and commends the company he founded, Deere & Company, for its many contributions to the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Director of Public Affairs of the John Deere Commercial and Consumer Equipment Division's Worldwide Headquarters.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.