Senate Resolution 105 - Introduced PAG LIN S.R. ________ H.R. ________ 1 1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 2 BY GASKILL and RAGAN 1 3 A Resolution honoring Winnebago Industries on its 50th 1 4 anniversary. 1 5 WHEREAS, on February 12, 2008, Winnebago Industries 1 6 will mark a half century as an Iowa business, 1 7 celebrating a history of innovation and quality dating 1 8 back to 1958; and 1 9 WHEREAS, in 1958, businessman John K. Hanson and a 1 10 cadre of Winnebago County community leaders opened a 1 11 travel trailer factory; and 1 12 WHEREAS, by 1960 the company was christened as 1 13 "Winnebago Industries" and the travel trailer industry 1 14 would never be the same; and 1 15 WHEREAS, innovation has always been a key element 1 16 of Winnebago Industries, which began to manufacture 1 17 furniture and other components designed specifically 1 18 for its travel trailers; and 1 19 WHEREAS, the innovative "Thermo=Panel" was a 1 20 strong, lightweight sidewall that was a characteristic 1 21 of Winnebago products; and 1 22 WHEREAS, in 1966, Winnebago Industries manufactured 1 23 its first motor home, which soon became so popular 1 24 that the term Winnebago became synonymous with motor 1 25 homes; and 1 26 WHEREAS, the company reached a milestone in 1970 1 27 when Winnebago Industries "went public", and was 1 28 listed on the New York Stock Exchange; and 1 29 WHEREAS, in its 50th year Winnebago Industries has 1 30 manufactured its 500,000th vehicle; and 2 1 WHEREAS, both company Chairman and Chief Executive 2 2 Officer Bruce Hertzke and President Bob Olson are 2 3 career Winnebago employees, together completing almost 2 4 75 years of service; and 2 5 WHEREAS, in honor of its 50th anniversary, 2 6 Winnebago Industries' representatives rang the closing 2 7 bell at the New York Stock Exchange on February 12, 2 8 2008; and 2 9 WHEREAS, today, Winnebago Industries remains one of 2 10 the largest manufacturers of motor homes within the 2 11 United States, with models sold under the Winnebago, 2 12 Rialta, Ultimate, Vectra, and Itasca brand names; NOW 2 13 THEREFORE, 2 14 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate 2 15 honors Winnebago Industries on its 50th anniversary 2 16 and thanks the company and its many employees for a 2 17 dedication to excellence and innovation that brings 2 18 credit to all of Iowa. 2 19 LSB 5792SS 82 2 20 jr/nh/8.1