[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1543-E1544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE LANERI FAMILY AND THE O.B. MACARONI COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 1999

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I know the U.S. House of Representatives 
will join me in recognizing a family, company, and corporate citizen of 
Fort Worth who, for the past 100 years, have not only been significant 
contributors to the Fort Worth community and the state of Texas but 
have also made the best pasta this side of Italy. The Laneri family and 
O.B. Macaroni Company have been a cornerstone of the Fort Worth 
community; and, as they celebrate their 100th anniversary this year, 
they are doing so in grand fashion by donating thousands of pounds of 
pasta to those in need in North Texas and around the world. I want to 
take this opportunity to recognize the Laneri family, owners and 
managers of O.B. Macaroni Company, for their longtime contribution to 
the well being of the community.
  An outstanding corporate citizen of Fort Worth, this family firm was 
founded in 1899. From the beginning, John B. (J.B.) Laneri, the family 
patriarch who came to Fort Worth in 1882, was the link between the 
company and the community.
  In 1905, O.B. Macaroni Company was incorporated and J.B. Laneri 
became president. He was an early member of the Board of Trade, 
Director of the Fort Worth National Bank from 1902, and a noted 
philanthropist and local booster until his death in 1935. His home, 
built in 1921 at 902 S. Jennings Ave., is on the Texas Historical 
Register.
  Located at the hub of the vast railroad network which reaches out of 
Fort Worth, the O.B. Macaroni Company shipped its popular products all 
across America, as well as provided secure and constant employment to 
the neighborhood.
  The company grew; and in 1907 J.B.'s nephew, Louis Laneri, came to 
Fort Worth

[[Page E1544]]

from New York City to join the firm. The business continued to expand; 
and in the 1930s Louis's sons, John and Carl, went to work for the 
thriving pasta company.
  Built on strong ties to family and community, the Fort Worth Macaroni 
Company became one of the leading regional pasta manufacturers and is 
the only company of its kind still existing in the South and Southwest.
  The fourth generation of the Laneri family, Louis II and Carlo, 
continues the pasta operation on the south side of town. Working at the 
company from their teens, both returned to the family enterprise after 
graduating from college (Texas Wesleyan University and Stephen F. 
Austin University, respectively).
  Louis Laneri, representing O.B. Macaroni, is a member of the Board of 
Directors of the National Pasta Association and a member of the DFW 
Grocers Association, the Food Salesman's Association, and the Food 
Processors Association.
  Carrying on a tradition of giving back to the community, the family 
donates regularly to the Tarrant County Food Bank, the Women's Haven of 
Tarrant County, and various Fort Worth social and religious causes and 
programs, including education in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort 
Worth.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate and thank the Laneri 
family and the O.B. Macaroni Company for 100 years of success. Fort 
Worth is a better place thanks to their family unity, hard work, and 
charity over the past century.

                          ____________________