Senate Resolution No. 1530

BY: Senator RITCHIE

HONORING White's Lumber and Building Supply upon
the occasion of its 125th year in business

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor White's
Lumber and Building Supply upon the occasion of its 125th year in
business; and

WHEREAS, George W. White was only 30 years old when he left his home
in Pamelia, New York, and arrived in Watertown, New York, in 1892 to
form a hay pressing business with Henry C. Anthony and Egbert W. Knapp
of the E.W. Knapp Lumber Company; and

WHEREAS, Overcoming the economic obstacles of the early 1890s by
paying close attention to its customers and their needs, the company
prospered and diversified; and

WHEREAS, In 1893, Mr. Knapp sold his interest in the company to his
partners and White & Sullivan was formed, with George White as the
senior member; and

WHEREAS, Mr. White and Mr. Sullivan continued their successful
business at 27 Molton Street in Watertown until 1906 when the business
moved to the corner of Olive and North Rutland Street in Watertown,
adding a large warehouse and shop; and

WHEREAS, In April 1913, the partnership dissolved when Mr. Sullivan
departed and Mr. White added his son, Ralph, to the business, changing
its name to G.W. White & Son, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, During World War I, the business was active in fund drives,
and with the Liberty and Victory loan campaigns; and

WHEREAS, With the passing of Ralph White in 1957, and George W.
White in 1958 at the age of 96, son Roger W. White, became president of
the company; and

WHEREAS, In 1967, Roger White purchased W.S. Corbin and Sons, a
Gouverneur, New York, building supply, fuel oil, and coal dealer and it
was renamed White's Building and Supply, and is still in operation
today; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, the business further expanded to Pulaski, New
York, adding a third store on Rome Road; and

WHEREAS, Upon the retirement of Roger White in the late 1990s, his
four children, Bradford, Roger Jr. (Ted), Sarah and Jonathan, took over
the day-to-day management and operation of the company, and added a
fourth store in Clayton, New York, in 2001; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, a fire completely destroyed the Pulaski store, but
with the support of the community, the company continued to fulfill
orders and deliveries through its other stores, until the new Pulaski
store could be completed; and

WHEREAS, A cornerstone of the communities it serves, White's Lumber
and Building Supply is truly an institution whose years of exemplary
customer service will enable it to achieve further success in the years
to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor White's Lumber and Building Supply upon the occasion of its 125th
year in business; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to White's Lumber and Building Supply