President George W. Bush chose Alexandria’s National Flag Co. Inc. as the setting for launching his growth and jobs package.
The National Flag Co. has been located on South Quaker Lane since 1962. It employs 35 people and produces thousands of flags each year for individuals and corporations. Although the company sells U.S. and state flags, it does not manufacture them.
On Jan. 9, Albert “Al” Ulmer Jr., president of the company, received his honored guest.
“The White House called me on Tuesday to tell me that we had been chosen,” Ulmer said. “We had 34 hours to get ready. It was nerve-racking while it was happening, but once it was over, it was really exciting.”
Bush held a round-table discussion in which Ulmer and other small business leaders and a representative of the Small Business Administration participated. “Each of us talked about how the president’s package was going to benefit our business,” Ulmer said. “Being able to deduct more equipment costs and putting money in the pockets of my employees are the chief benefits for us. This package will allow us to deduct up to $75,000 in equipment cost instead of $25,000. The tax credits won’t really help us because of the type of corporation that we are. I think it’s a good proposal.”
AFTER THE ROUND TABLE, Bush made a speech. “The backbone of the U. S. economy is the small business,” Bush said. “And to be able to talk about economic vitality and growth in a small business is a joy for me.
“Here at home we’ve got some obstacles to overcome as well,” he continued. “And one of those obstacles is to make sure people can find work, make sure this economy is strong, vibrant and hopeful, that the future is optimistic for every single citizen.”
The president thanked Ulmer for his hospitality and was gone. He arrived in Alexandria at around 9 a.m. that day and stayed for approximately one hour.
“We closed Quaker Lane for about five minutes when the motorcade came and when it left,” said Lt. John Crawford, a spokesperson for the Alexandria Police Department. “Most citizens would simply have noticed a heavy police presence on the side streets leading to Quaker. These motorcades move pretty rapidly, so rush hour wasn’t really disrupted all that much.”