[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING ROHM AND HAAS TEXAS, INCORPORATED

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Rohm and Haas Texas 
Incorporated for their selection by the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce 
as the 1998 Industry of the Year.
  Rohm and Haas Texas Incorporated has been a responsible member of the 
Deer Park community for 50 years, safely manufacturing chemicals for 
use in the disposable diaper, automobile, paint, coatings and 
communication industries. Construction on the Deer Park Plant began in 
1947 and in July of the following year, the first shipment of acetone 
cyanohydrin was made to another Rohm and Haas plant in Pennsylvania to 
produce acrylic sheet.
  The Deer Park Plant would become the company's largest and most 
productive with five major expansions in the fifties, followed by four 
in the sixties, two in the seventies, two in the eighties and six in 
the nineties. Employment has climbed from 132 in 1948 to more than 800 
today, making the plant one of the largest industrial employers in the 
area. When wages, purchases and taxes are considered, the plant and 
employees are responsible for adding more than $85 million each year to 
the local economy which, in turn, creates an estimated 4,500 jobs for 
others in the community.
  Rohm and Haas' most far-reaching joint industry/community safety and 
environmental improvement effort is the ``Responsible Care Program'' 
developed by the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA). It requires 
that participating companies pledge to the community, in writing, to 
improve health and safety and environmental protection. In this regard, 
Rohm and Haas conducts periodic self-evaluations and reports publicly 
on releases of toxic materials in the air, land and water, along with 
plans for reducing them. They also invite third parties into the plant 
to see what is being done.
  Rohm and Haas is also committed to investing in comprehensive 
programs designed to reach many deserving sectors of the community 
including youth, education, family, culture, the arts, health and the 
mentally and physically challenged, as well as supporting local 
industry and community efforts to improve the quality of life in 
neighboring communities. The plant contributes approximately $100,000 a 
year to charitable causes and employees make a significant impact as 
active volunteers, donating more than $150,000 a year to the United Way 
alone. Employee volunteers are rewarded through Rohm and Haas' 
Volunteer of the Year Program, which rewards outstanding individuals 
efforts while financially supporting the organizations they represent.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Rohm and Haas Texas Incorporated on being 
named the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce 1998 Industry of the Year. This 
honor is well deserved for their work in expanding business and job 
opportunities, establishing safer conditions for workers, and 
initiatives to protect and improve the environment, while supporting a 
comprehensive program committed to strengthening community relations by 
supporting employees volunteer activities and making corporate 
contributions to deserving sectors of the community.

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