Alabamians are helping keep our nation’s leaders healthy as they go about their work in Congress.

Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) on Friday, as part of his week-long effort to recognize some of Alabama’s tremendous “Made in America” companies, announced that HomTex has been awarded a contract under its new Sovereign America brand through the Architect of the Capitol to make masks for the entire United States Capitol Complex.

HomTex, headquartered in Cullman County, has been family-owned since its founding in 1987. It is a certified minority-owned business.

From family members hand-sewing and -cutting sheets at the beginning, the Alabama company has since grown into a leader in the global textiles industry. HomTex now has locations in New York, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Its well-known brands center on household textiles and include FitRite®, Dream Essence™, Revive, Suprelle® and Dreamfit®.

The company since its founding has always prided itself on innovation and service; this was taken to an unprecedented level in the spring.

Back in April, there were no American companies producing level-three medical grade masks in the United States, seriously straining the healthcare system and other essential sectors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

HomTex leaped into action after this dire need became apparent, investing about $5 million to rapidly shift production at its core Cullman plant to begin producing an incredible amount of disposable medical grade masks as well as reusable, washable cotton masks under the brand DreamFit. The company’s initiative was supported by the Alabama Department of Commerce and the Cullman County Economic Development Agency, among others.

Not only has the company bolstered the nation’s PPE stock to the tune of millions of masks and helped America reopen, but the company’s innovation also created about 120 jobs in the state as well. HomTex does not view this as a temporary endeavor, either. The company plans to stay in the PPE business long-term, helping safeguard our national security interests.

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Now, HomTex masks will be supplied to members, staff and visitors at the U.S. Capitol Complex. The first delivery to the Complex was made last Wednesday.

At least one member of Congress was ahead of the curve, though, as Aderholt and his office have been utilizing the made-in-Alabama masks for awhile now.

In an email from HomTex to Aderholt’s office, a company official wrote, “As an Alabama certified minority-owned company, we are proud to protect the Congress while they conduct the nation’s business. … Mr. Aderholt helped us with a customs matter a few months ago, and our great friend, Juanita Duggan, saw him at a function in DC wearing a HomTex mask. Thank you so much for the help and the support! Governor Ivey visited Cullman this week, and we were thrilled to let her know we are protecting the Capitol.”

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn