STAR/TRIBUNE
President Barack Obama gave Warroad-based Marvin Windows and Doors a shout out during his remarks on the economy in Kansas Tuesday.
According to a White House transcript, he said:
"I think about a company based in Warroad, Minnesota. It’s called Marvin Windows and Doors. During the recession, Marvin’s competitors closed dozens of plants, let hundreds of workers go. But Marvin’s did not lay off a single one of their 4,000 or so employees -- not one. In fact, they’ve only laid off workers once in over a hundred years. Mr. Marvin’s grandfather even kept his eight employees during the Great Depression.
Now, at Marvin’s when times get tough, the workers agree to give up some perks and some pay, and so do the owners. As one owner said, “You can’t grow if you’re cutting your lifeblood -- and that’s the skills and experience your workforce delivers.” (Applause.) For the CEO of Marvin’s, it’s about the community. He said, “These are people we went to school with. We go to church with them. We see them in the same restaurants. Indeed, a lot of us have married local girls and boys. We could be anywhere, but we are in Warroad."
That’s how America was built. That’s why we’re the greatest nation on Earth. That’s what our greatest companies understand. Our success has never just been about survival of the fittest. It’s about building a nation where we’re all better off. We pull together. We pitch in. We do our part. We believe that hard work will pay off, that responsibility will be rewarded, and that our children will inherit a nation where those values live on. "
It all sounds great when you say that marvins did not lay anybody off but they are giving workers less hours resulting in less pay.Some people are getting demoted so they make less money that way as well. Marvins is not doing as well as the article says they are doing.
ReplyDeletetim m7
I think that President Obama is a good man to give props to Warroad and the Marvin's workers. People should learn that when times gets tough, they should stick together and push through. If there anyone who has been in a problem, it is important to know that to keep your friends close.
ReplyDeleteJimmy P7
Its awesome that he mentioned Warroad and Marvins since hes the President, but thing I want to no is how much Marvins payed him to talk about them? Since Marvin's are Republicans and Obama is a Democrat, It just don't make sense to me why he would talk about them...
ReplyDeleteCheyenne J. 3
I like that Barack Obama mentioned Warroad. Our town is very small, but like he hinted at, we( like Marvin's Windows and Doors) have a very good community, and economy here. Even with all the cuts that other companies have made, Marvin's toughed it out. I'm glad that some high authority has pointed it out.
ReplyDelete-Heather Schauer P.1
I think it's great that obama mentioned warroad. Were such a small town that it's great to get a compliment from the president. I agree with cheyenne that it's coo that he mentioned such a small town. And how were a great community
ReplyDeletePaul o. 7
I'm glad Obama reconized Marvin's success. Right now, the economy isn't too great, but all the Marvin's employees still have their jobs, even though there aren't too many people buying houses, let alone windows or doors. We should be proud to have a company who cares about their workers, and not just what's best for them.
ReplyDeleteShannel D. 3
This was a great article. Marvin Windows decision to not lay off people was very good news to our small community. Many families were very nervous and new that if any layoffs were to come, they would have to find new jobs immediately to help support their families. It's great that Marvin's can be recognized for this
ReplyDeleteLynn period 7
I really think that Pres. Obama was paid because the workers at marvins windows and doors are being demoted. Also they are haveing shorter work hours witch means ther losing money. If it is still 32 hour weeks it's barrly enough to make ends meet for the families.
ReplyDeleteCody S. Period2
I think it's awesome how the little town of Warroad was mentioned by someone so famous. Out of all the companies ran around the world today, Marvins were picked. I think the point across this event is that even though they maybe cut workers hours short, they still gave them the chance of making money to raise a family. I think that is the main reason in what caught Obama's eye through the Windows and Doors company. At least there is still hope instead of no hope for families in the rough economic times.
ReplyDeleteLiana H.3
I also think it is kind of funny that Obama mentioned Marvin Windows in this speech. The CEO of Marvins is a staunch republican and has given quite a bit of money to help get Obama removed from office. Just thought this was kind of ironic.
ReplyDeleteLynn 7
I feel proud of Obama's words because I know that Warroad is a great place and I know the Marvin's story. And I know that they deserved this anuncement. I am so proud of that because now I know from Obama's words that Marvin and Warroad are great.
ReplyDeleteAlberto Gonzalez 7
Like everyone I'm sure i was very surprised when I heard the word Warroad come from the president's mouth. It very honoring to be mentioned and the major backbone of our little town(marvin windows) getting the recognition it deserves for keeping its ways of not laying people off going on for such an impressive time. Its still crazy to believe that we were put into Obama's speech. I guess we're not such an unknown town after all.
ReplyDeleteIsaac Anderson.3
I think its amazing how someone can be noticed by doing just the littlest thing as not cutting someone from a job that they most likely need, and get noticed by someone else like the president. It just goes to show how easily people can get noticed by just the littlest things. That's the kind of things that need to happen in and out of school.
ReplyDeleteRyder Eklie.7
I am shocked that Obama has even heard of the little town Warroad, People were on the edges of there seats so nervous about being layed off, and having to find new jobs, and in the small town were from there isn't that many options out there, but yes it is great that he has mentioned Marvin's Success.
ReplyDeleteSavannah T7
We all should feel proud of our small town to be mentioned by the President of the United States. There are many towns that will never get talked about. The Marvin's are doing everything that they can to keep their employees, even if they have to have shorter hours for a few months, at least the workers have a job that brings in more money that if they were all laid off. As to what Cody and Tim remarked about the shorter hours . With the new hours every one is still getting 40 hours per week. the hours may get shortened during the slow times , but they do that almost every year. As for some being demoted maybe they would have been kept if they were doing a good enough job in the first place.
ReplyDeleteAll the remarks about the President being paid to say these good things about our town and Marvin Windows and Doors is just nonsense. I don't think that is true at all. I am proud to be part of the Warroad community and that my mom works at Marvins and has a job even if sometimes the hours are cut.
the post above is from Haley R
ReplyDeleteI think it's pretty shocking that the president even knows about Warroad. Our town is so small who would of thought he would of even mentioned us in one of his speeches. Marvin Windows and doors hasn't laid a single person in the last 100 years. That really does go to show that we're willing to take some sacrifices to make it work out for everyone. That's how all communities should be.
ReplyDelete- Anita R.3
Ithink that its really cool that we have been noticed by the President of the United States. He mentioned Marvins and Warroad MN. Even though people dont know where we are its still cool to hear that.
ReplyDeleteGretta B.3
When I read, was really interesting and it surprised me that Obama was talking about Warroad. I dont know how he knows Warroad and if Warroad payed for that. But anyway we have to be very proud because the president one of the most important man in the world, Obama, was talking about us.
ReplyDeleteAnd about hours and the payment, I think the people here have to join and ask for get better, because the base for the families of almost the people here is Marvin
Alexia M.7
I think its a good thing that Obama talked about Warroad because it was a good example and it made us seem better. I also think its kinda weird that He would only talk about Marvins here and not anywhere else. I think its a good thing that our president knows what he is talking about.
ReplyDeleteMacKenzie N. 1
For everyone that thinks Obama was paid to talk about Marvin's, I disagree. He talked about them because of something good Marvin's did during a tough time, not because of what political party they are. It might seem ironic because Marvin's are Republican, but they deserve it for how they treated their employees and how they fought through the recession.
ReplyDeleteElle O. P7
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