[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THREE OF DELAWARE'S FINEST CITIZENS--THE ALLEN BROTHERS: 
                     CHARLES, JR., WARREN, AND JACK

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to three 
brothers who are pioneers in Delmarva's flourishing poultry business. 
Over the past 50 years, Charles C. Allen, Jr.; Warren L. Allen; and 
John R. ``Jack'' Allen, have built what was once a small, mom and pop 
family business, into one of our Nation's top poultry companies, Allen 
Family Foods Inc. Their contributions to the industry and to our State 
of Delaware are as rich and diverse as the history of the poultry 
business itself, and I congratulate them on their half-century of 
dedication and achievement.
  Their parents, C. Clarence and Nellie Allen, first got into the 
poultry business in 1919, incubating about 250 chicks. Things got off 
to a bit of a shaky start for the Allens. On one occasion Nellie 
banished Clarence to the garage after one of his chicken incubation 
experiments nearly burned their house down. But the Allens persisted 
and 4 years later in 1923, the family expanded the operation by 
purchasing a 38-acre farm on the outskirts of Seaford, DE. This 100-
year-old farmhouse became one of the first commercial chicken houses on 
the Delmarva peninsula and remains the company's headquarters.
  Charles Jr., Warren, and Jack continued the family tradition and 
expanded this once-modest enterprise vigorously through the years. 
Today, Allen's Family Foods is a privately held, multimillion dollar, 
integrated poultry company. Allen's processed chicken is sold in stores 
from Virginia to Massachusetts. Charles C. handles the farming side of 
the business; Warren is vice president in charge of finance; and Jack 
is secretary-treasurer. The elder Allens have in turn brought their 
three sons: Charles C. Allen III; John R. Allen, Jr.; and Warren L. 
``Wren'' Allen Jr., into the business, ensuring that Allen's Family 
Foods will be operating in Delaware well into the next century.
  In addition to this commercial success, the Allen family has made 
tremendous contributions to their community. Warren Allen served three 
2-year terms as the Delaware State Representative for the 38th 
district, in addition to service as the chairman of the advisory 
council of the Delaware Home and Hospital for the Chronically Ill in 
Smyrna, and on the board of trustees of the Delaware State Hospital. 
Charles Allen was campaign manager for the hospital's expansion 
fundraising drive. Their generosity also led to the creation of the 
Allen Little League baseball field at Williams Pond. For their 
lifetimes of service, the Delmarva Poultry Industry recently honored 
Charles, Jr., Warren, and Jack as the 1995 distinguished citizens; the 
first time in history that this award has been shared by three members 
of one family. I can think of no more deserving individuals and I again 
extend my congratulations to the Allen family.
  The story of Allen's Family Foods encompasses all that is just and 
good in America: Ingenuity, perseverance, dedication, and compassion 
for our fellow citizens. Simply put, Delaware is a better place because 
of the Allen Family. Again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my 
friends Charles, Jr., Warren, and Jack, and wish them many more years 
of health, happiness, and prosperity.

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