[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                BECTON DICKINSON & CO. 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 1997

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Becton Dickinson & 
Co.--along with all of its employees and their families--on the 100th 
anniversary of the founding of this global medical technology company. 
Becton Dickinson is one of the largest and most important employers in 
my district. It is more than just a major economic force, however. It 
is a company whose products have saved the lives and improved the 
health of millions of people around the world. It is also a shining 
example of the proverbial good corporate citizen, playing an active 
role and making important contributions to all the communities in which 
it does business.
  Becton Dickinson was founded after Maxwell W. Becton--a medical 
supplies salesman--and Fairleigh S. Dickinson--a stationery salesman--
met on a sales trip in 1897. The two traveled together, became friends, 
and decided that fall to form their own company to import medical 
devices from Europe. The choice of medical devices as their line of 
business was simple--Dickinson realized that Becton's small satchel of 
thermometers was easier to carry than his heavy sample cases of 
stationery.
  From those early days up to the present, Becton Dickinson has built a 
reputation for quality. Dissatisfied with the reliability and quality 
of imports, the partners soon began to manufacture their own syringes 
and clinical thermometers. The company quickly outgrew its New York 
City home and, in 1907, moved to a new factory in East Rutherford, 
N.J., beginning its long association with the Garden State. When World 
War I halted medical imports from Europe, Becton Dickinson began to set 
the standard for all-glass syringes.
  During World War II, the company geared up for war production and 
produced innovative new products such as the first sterile disposable 
blood donor kits for the Red Cross and a new device to collect blood in 
glass tubes. Other Becton Dickinson innovations included machines to 
manufacture syringe needles automatically rather than by hand, syringes 
with interchangeable parts, and the ACE bandage.
  Following the war, control of the company passed to the founders' 
sons, Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. and Henry P. Becton. On a personal 
note, I can testify to the high standards of personal character and 
integrity that Dick and Betty Dickinson and Henry ``Hank'' Becton 
brought to the business community and philanthropic and civic 
communities of northern New Jersey. Product lines were broadened and 
new businesses acquired as the company expanded nationally and 
internationally. The sons took the company public in 1962 to obtain 
financing for huge investments in equipment to produce sterile 
disposable medical products as part of the ``disposable revolution'' in 
medicine.
  Becton Dickinson grew rapidly, diversifying from the 1950's through 
the 1980's to enter many aspects of the health care industry, including 
diagnostics, while continuing to lead the medical device market.
  Over the years, Becton Dickinson has demonstrated a strong commitment 
to corporate social responsibility, funding basic research and higher 
education, health care assistance in developing nations, and support of 
community based health, social service, civic and cultural 
organizations. Its products have played major roles in the fight to end 
polio and the development of crash test ``dummies'' to improve the 
safety of automobiles.
  Sales for the company have grown dramatically, from $2,639 in the 
first year of business to $2.8 billion last year. Approximately 18,000 
workers are employed in 80 locations in 40 countries. Research and 
development in 1996 amounted to $154 million while the company made 
$3.6 million in contributions to charitable organizations, not 
including significant product donations to disaster and humanitarian 
relief both in the United States and overseas.
  Throughout a century of growth, Becton Dickinson's commitment to 
raising the quality of health care worldwide has remained constant. Its 
founders' passion for excellence is still reflected in the dedication 
and hard work of its employees. Becton Dickinson brings the miracles of 
modern medicine to millions of people around the world.
  I would like to take this opportunity to thank this leading company 
for the contributions it has made to the world of medicine and to our 
community in northern New Jersey. Under the leadership of Chairman 
Clateo Castellini, we can rest assured that this dedication and 
commitment will continue. I wish Becton Dickinson many years of 
continued success.

                          ____________________