Governors Urge Federal Action

by Devin Steele

Southern Textile News

                The governors of three states that have lost thousands of textile manufacturing jobs, along with fellow sympathizers of the industry’s plight, recently came together to cajole, console and try to gain better control of the industry’s destiny.

                The event, dubbed the “Multi-State Textile Summit,” was convened by North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley, South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes and Virginia Gov. Mark Warner and included participation by panels of former and current industry executives and employees, educators, politicians, analysts and economic leaders. For two-and-a-half hours, about 300 audience members heard the governors offer their takes on and solutions to the crisis that has devastated their states, and also heard the perspectives of panelists. 

                The governors urged federal government action to ease the industry’s pain, then, at the conclusion of the summit, signed a letter to President Bush asking for immediate and specific remedies to help the industry.  College of Textiles Dean Blan Godfrey was a panelist member.

 Note:  In the next issue of the Wolftext we will outline the Dean’s speech.