Hooker Chemical Corporation's full-page newspaper ad on Love Canal: 'Hooker cares. And we want you to know it!,' July 13, 1979
Title
Hooker Chemical Corporation's full-page newspaper ad on Love Canal: 'Hooker cares. And we want you to know it!,' July 13, 1979
Subject
Penelope D. Ploughman Love Canal Collection
Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corp.
Advertising, Newspaper
Mass media and propaganda
Description
A newspaper advertisement prominently displays the bold headline “HOOKER CARES. AND WE WANT YOU TO KNOW IT!” Above the company name “Hooker Chemical” at the bottom. In the center are black-and-white portraits of four men, identified in the accompanying text as employees of Hooker Chemical. The article appears to describe their roles and promote the company’s commitment to safety and the community, possibly in response to public concern. The layout uses large, eye-catching typography and a photo collage to draw attention.
Creator
Ploughman, Penelope, 1955-
Publisher
State University of New York at Buffalo
University Archives
Date
July 13, 1979
Rights
Format
image/jpeg
Type
Image
Still Image
Identifier
MS100.174
LIB-UA003
Date Created
1/28/2009
Is Referenced By
Medium
Slides
Transcription
Hooker Cares. And we want you to know it!
Hooker chemical has more than 3,100 employees here in the Niagara Frontier. There are people who are disturbed about the misleading and incorrect information they've been reading in the papers and seeing on the news concerning their company. They’re dedicated individuals who are very much part of both Niagara and Hooker.
We hope you've had an opportunity to read the facts about what happened at the Love Canal by Bruce Davis, President of Hooker’s industrial chemicals group. But there are thousands of other Hooker employees as eager as he is to speak out on behalf of Hooker Chemical. (Hooker paid for this ad so a few of them could speak to you.)
Glenn Fails, Chemical Operator, Organics East
“One sided reporting--that's all I've seen so far--one side only. The reporters in this area just haven't done their homework. They haven't bothered to dig into the facts. They don't want to see or report what really happened. Maybe they think the truth wouldn't make news.
“I'm proud to be part of Hooker, and I feel a lot of us here in Niagara have been unjustly condemned for working here. It's as if we were doing something wrong by sticking with the company.”
Pat McCune, Electrician
“We're glad that the company is doing something positive about chemical disposal. I've seen that not only do they have to do it… they want to do it. The fact is that all of industry has to do a lot more to protect our environment and safety.
“Times have changed. So has technology. We now know a lot more about chemicals than we used to. It's not fair to crucify Hooker for something that happened a long time ago. They did what was right then. It's like putting 1979 automotive safety standards on a 1940 car.”
Anthony (Tony) Kalivoda, Superintendent of Services for Tank Car Repair
“I believe that company definitely cares. I'm not strictly Hooker. I'm not just a company man. I'll go and argue with any of the brass here. I feel like most everyone else at the plant. I've never been refused when it comes to getting things done safety wise.
“If we ask for anything that will make the job safer, Hooker management listens. They won't turn us down unless we're really off-base. In fact, the safety standards at the plant sometimes seem more rigid than necessary.”
Mike Malvestuto, Bulldozer Operator
“I'm only speaking for the guys that I work with, the ones I'm really close to. We're very satisfied working here. Hooker’s a good outfit. When I hear people talking about shutting down the chemical companies, it infuriates me. You might as well shut down everything else too. Most people just don't realize the important role chemicals play in our lives. They are needed to make 90% of the products we all use every day.”
Hooker chemical has more than 3,100 employees here in the Niagara Frontier. There are people who are disturbed about the misleading and incorrect information they've been reading in the papers and seeing on the news concerning their company. They’re dedicated individuals who are very much part of both Niagara and Hooker.
We hope you've had an opportunity to read the facts about what happened at the Love Canal by Bruce Davis, President of Hooker’s industrial chemicals group. But there are thousands of other Hooker employees as eager as he is to speak out on behalf of Hooker Chemical. (Hooker paid for this ad so a few of them could speak to you.)
Glenn Fails, Chemical Operator, Organics East
“One sided reporting--that's all I've seen so far--one side only. The reporters in this area just haven't done their homework. They haven't bothered to dig into the facts. They don't want to see or report what really happened. Maybe they think the truth wouldn't make news.
“I'm proud to be part of Hooker, and I feel a lot of us here in Niagara have been unjustly condemned for working here. It's as if we were doing something wrong by sticking with the company.”
Pat McCune, Electrician
“We're glad that the company is doing something positive about chemical disposal. I've seen that not only do they have to do it… they want to do it. The fact is that all of industry has to do a lot more to protect our environment and safety.
“Times have changed. So has technology. We now know a lot more about chemicals than we used to. It's not fair to crucify Hooker for something that happened a long time ago. They did what was right then. It's like putting 1979 automotive safety standards on a 1940 car.”
Anthony (Tony) Kalivoda, Superintendent of Services for Tank Car Repair
“I believe that company definitely cares. I'm not strictly Hooker. I'm not just a company man. I'll go and argue with any of the brass here. I feel like most everyone else at the plant. I've never been refused when it comes to getting things done safety wise.
“If we ask for anything that will make the job safer, Hooker management listens. They won't turn us down unless we're really off-base. In fact, the safety standards at the plant sometimes seem more rigid than necessary.”
Mike Malvestuto, Bulldozer Operator
“I'm only speaking for the guys that I work with, the ones I'm really close to. We're very satisfied working here. Hooker’s a good outfit. When I hear people talking about shutting down the chemical companies, it infuriates me. You might as well shut down everything else too. Most people just don't realize the important role chemicals play in our lives. They are needed to make 90% of the products we all use every day.”
Collection
Citation
Ploughman, Penelope, 1955-, “Hooker Chemical Corporation's full-page newspaper ad on Love Canal: 'Hooker cares. And we want you to know it!,' July 13, 1979,” Digital Collections - University at Buffalo Libraries, accessed June 27, 2025, https://digital.lib.buffalo.edu/items/show/16519.