Troutman Presidential Rocker presented to Japan's prime minister

He's a fan of President Kennedy, who made chair famous

Heath Combs -- Furniture Today, November 16, 2009

TROUTMAN, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue presented a Troutman Chair Presidential Rocker to Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama during a trade and cultural mission to Japan in October.

Troutman Chair’s Presidential Rocker is presented to Japan’s prime minister in a ceremony with North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue, second from left; her husband, Bob Eaves, left; and N.C. Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco.

Hatoyama is an admirer of President John F. Kennedy, said Champ Land, president of Troutman Chair.

The Presidential Rocker is a rocking chair was made famous by President Kennedy. He found it comfortable for his back, which was left ailing after a war injury.

The rocker is now in the Japanese prime minister's official residence.

Troutman Chair also has also expanded its relationship with the famous Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, Land said. The golfing resort will market the white Carolina Rocker by offering it through the shoppinehurst.com Web site and at its resort stores.

The white rocking chairs have lined the porches and verandas of Pinehurst for over 75 years. Marketed as the Pinehurst Presidential Rocker, each white rocking chair will have a plaque with the trademarked Pinehurst logo and the name Pinehurst Presidential Rocker.

Also, Troutman said it has received approval from the Kennedy family to put the late president's photo on hangtags for the rocker.