First Fastener Presidential Visit

John Wolz

The world glimpsed a fastener plant when U.S. President-elect Barack Obama visited Cardinal Fastener, and several industry veterans believe it is the first presidential fastener visit.
Two former presidents have been guest speakers at Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association conventions.
Edith Cameron, who started in the fastener industry during Franklin Roosevelt’s second term as president, doesn’t remember any other presidential visits to fastener facilities.
George Wasmer, who was chairman of Lake Erie Screw Corp. in Cleveland for 18 years and is a third generation member of a fastener family, recalls President John F. Kennedy’s motorcade “driving by up on the freeway.”
Wasmer also recalled that President George H.W. Bush remarked to him that former first lady Barbara Bush worked as a temporary receptionist for RB&W during World War II.
Ben Benson, who started at Central Screw Co. in Chicago during the Eisenhower administration before being transferred to L.A. during the Kennedy administration, described Obama’s fastener visit “as a first in many ways.”
Fasteners received momentary presidential attention when President George H.W. Bush signed the original U.S. Fastener Quality Act into law in 1990.
President Bill Clinton signed three amendments to P.L. 101-592 (the original FQA): P.L. 104-113 in 1995, P.L. 105-234 in 1998 and P.L 106-34 in 1999.
STAFDA hosted former president Gerald Ford in 1980 in San Diego and Ronald Reagan in 1990 in Anaheim. �2009 FastenerNews.com