Two weeks prior to retiring and closing his department store in Madison, WV, Nathan Haddad explained the closing in an advertisement in a local newspaper, the Coal Valley News. His farewell message, titled "Statement of A Man Who Was Born in Boone County With His Clothes On," caught the attention of the national news.

Speaking on the subject of immigration policies, US Representative John M. Slack, Jr. of West Virginia addressed Congress and read Nathan's immigrant story into the Congressional Record on February 8, 1965.

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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -APPENDIX
February 9, 1965
An American Who Was Born With His Clothes On

EXTENSION OF REMARKS of HON. JOHN M. SLACK, JR. Of WEST VIRGINIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on Monday, February 8, 1965

MR. SLACK: Mr. Speaker, during the past year we have had increasing interest aroused in our national immigration policy and proposals have been placed before the Congress which would change present policy. In consequence, much has been written about immigrants who came to the United States and who have contributed to our national progress.

In my Congressional District there resides a former immigrant whose story typifies the American dream in its full reality. His name is Nathan Haddad and he is now a vigorous 74 years of age. He came to this country from the Middle East over 50 years ago with little knowledge of the language, few tangible assets, and limited acquaintanceships. But he brought with him the intangibles which really count---courage, determination to succeed, a great respect for the rights and the duties of American citizenship and a deep and generous spirit. He was, in his own words, born again in the land where he settled.

Now Nathan Haddad is closing his mercantile store and retiring from business in a community where he has been active for over a half century. Last week he published in the community newspaper, the Coal Valley News, a statement expressing his gratitude for the acceptance which gave him the chance to give of his ability without restraint to the growth and betterment of his adopted country.

In salute to a career which would do honor to any American, I offer for your consideration the public statement of Nathan Haddad. Let it remind us all once again that we are indeed a nation of immigrants

 
Statement of A Man Who Was Born in Boone County With His Clothes On
by Nathan Haddad

This is my statement. It may look to some like the Haddads are disposing of their store and other property and moving away. We are disposing of our store at 364 Main Street, Madison, the final closing date being February 27, 1965, at 5 p.m. We have had no other choice.

My son, Fred Haddad, as president of Heck's Enterprises, has his time fully occupied in general supervision of the Heck's stores at Charleston, St. Albans, two stores in Huntington, Ashland and Parkersburg, with four more stores planned for opening this year.

As for Nathan, I have retired. At the age of 74, I feel that I should disengage myself from all business activities. I have therefore decided to liquidate the Madison store. I feel that I owe this statement to the many faithful customers who have dealt with us over the years, who have not only been nice to us, but with whom we have enjoyed a delightful acquaintance and association over these many years.

Our success in Boone county and in the adjoining area has depended upon the goodwill and patronage of the people of the valley--to all of whom I wish to express our most grateful and humble appreciation.

But I am not moving away. I have spent over 50 years of my life in Boone County, and the people here are my people. I regret to close the store. I cherish the interest and regrets expressed by so many of you; nevertheless, it is time I rest from these labors. I will stay around, however, for one business reason--to see that the Junior Haddad Recreation Center continues to serve the community. I hope now to have more time to do everything I would like to do for the area and to participate in affairs of public need and interest.

Other than to wind up the affairs of Haddad & Co. and to see to the operation of the pool, I will not be going back into business of any sort. I am definitely retiring, and from now on, I intend to be a gentleman of leisure--doing what good I can in and for my community and the area, as long as my health and allotment of time permits.

For, I assure you, Madison is my home and the people of the valley are my people, and this country is my country. I came among you 55 years ago, a youth who could speak only a few words of English. I am grateful for the treatment I and my people have received. I cherish my citizenship rights and I declare my intention to live out my life in the county and community where I have not only been tolerated but permitted to become a useful citizen and my business an important part of the business and life of the area.

I hope I have been and that Haddad's has been a useful and integral part of Madison and the valley. I assure all that I cherish the acquaintance and associations I have had with each and all of you, whom I cherish as my people and my friends.

I do most sincerely regret to close Haddad & Co. store after so many fruitful years of doing business among and with you. I want all of you to believe that I sincerely regret that I must terminate this business. I shall remain among you, grateful that you accepted the Lebanese youth who came among you so many years ago.

Permit me now to express my sincere appreciation for your toleration, acceptance, friendship, and patronage over these many, many fruitful and enjoyable years. I truly hope that I have been able to return to the community and the people services and values somewhat commensurate to that which I have received.

I assure you all that I cherish my long years of citizenship and business and community associations with a free, kindly, and generous people. I am most happy to spend my remaining and, I trust, useful years in the land and among the people of my adoption whose tolerance and patronage I acknowledge and deeply appreciate.

Sincerely,
Nathan Haddad