A Colorado newspaper has reported that U.S. Congressman Scott McInnis (R-Colorado) is asking the Department of Veterans Affairs to sever its ties with a French-owned company that is the chief supplier of marble for military headstones at national cemeteries. "It is important that we cease further business dealings with this French-controlled marble supplier in order to ensure that these headstones, intended to honor the sacrifices of our troops, do just that," McInnis wrote in a letter addressed to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. The French company, Imerys, which cultivates its marble from Georgia, has had a contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs since 1995, when it bought the Georgia Marble Co., which first supplied marble to the federal government in the late 1880s. Imerys' contract is up for renewal this summer.

Paul Bronikowski has joined the sales team at NAC Products, representing the states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, as well as the cities of Pittsburgh and Nashville. In the industry for 16 years, Bronikowski's previous experience as an architectural and independent representative gives him a thorough understanding of the installation processes of tile and stone. He can be reached via e-mail at Pbronikowski@NAC-anti-fracture.com. Additionally, Tom Lynch has joined NAC, representing Northern Illinois (Chicago), Minnesota, Wisconsin and Alaska. Lynch has published several technical articles concerning tile installation techniques and procedures, and he may be reached at Tlynch@NAC-anti-fracture.com.