ROCHESTER - U.S. Senator Charles Schumer held a rally Monday at Hickey Freeman’s Rochester headquarters, vowing to fight for the company’s continued presence in the region and the preservation of roughly 450 local jobs after Hickey Freeman’s parent company, HMX Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. HMX—which has already lined up prospective bidders—has filed a notice with New York State’s labor department warning of potential layoffs.

HMX Group owns both the Hickey Freeman and Hart Schaffner Marx clothing brands, with production facilities in Rochester and Des Plaines, Illinois. The company’s suits are frequently worn by both contenders in this fall’s presidential election—at the most recent presidential debate, President Obama wore a Hart Schaffner Marx suit, while Romney donned one by Hickey Freeman. Schumer also wears Hickey Freeman suits.

Schumer is in close contact with Hickey Freeman executives and workforce leaders, and stood with Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and dozens of Hickey Freeman workers in Rochester to pledge support as this bankruptcy filing progresses in the coming weeks.

“Hickey Freeman has proven time and time again that the Rochester workforce never gives up, and always comes back stronger after times of economic uncertainty,” said Schumer. “As I have in the past, I will fight tooth and nail for each of Hickey Freeman’s nearly 450 jobs to stay right here in Rochester after HMX’s bankruptcy announcement last week. In August, I worked hard to help secure the bridge financing needed by HMX to then save the company from possible liquidation and to keep the doors open during bankruptcy and generate buyers that will keep Hickey Freeman a ‘going concern.’ I will continue to work to ensure that a potential buyer commits to keep this century-old Rochester manufacturer fully operational and not sold for parts.”

Hickey Freeman has been producing menswear in Rochester since 1899. Each year Hickey Freeman produces about 150,000 units of clothing, each completed by hundreds of individual human processes. Hickey Freeman employs over 440 people and helps keep the northeast part of Rochester industrious and vibrant. The label had maintained its operations in Rochester since its founding, and maintains its “Made in USA” standard, even in a time of widespread outsourcing.

The company’s suits and sport coats are known for their quality and fine tailoring. Hickey Freeman has long stood as a strong economic cornerstone of Rochester, and a staple of men’s fashion and garment quality in America, outfitting politicians and public figures for years – including presidents up to President Obama. They also outfitted NBC’s sportscasters during the recent broadcast of the Olympics.