[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF TEXAS EASTMAN'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 1999

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to ``50 
Years of Great Chemistry'' by the Texas Eastman Division of Eastman 
Chemical Co., which has accomplished and contributed so much as a 
company and to the people of East Texas.
  Eastman Chemical is a leading international chemical company that 
produces a wide range of chemicals, fibers, and plastics. In 1949, 
Longview, Texas, was selected as the location for the Texas Eastman 
Division. In 1950, plant construction began, and by 1952 products were 
being shipped out. From its modest beginning in 1950, the Eastman 
Division has grown into one of the largest petrochemical plants in 
Texas. The original plant in Longview, Texas, occupies a 6,000-acre 
site close to the East Texas Oil Field, which has provided the company 
with its principal raw materials--propane, ethane, and natural gas. The 
company also owns and operates a 300-acre underground storage facility 
in Tyler, Texas, where more than 250 million gallons of propane, ethane 
and chemical intermediates are stored. Texas Eastman uses approximately 
55,000 barrels per day of its raw materials. In order to produce such a 
large quantity of raw material, Eastman owns and operates 11 pipelines 
that extend as far as 200 miles to the Texas Gulf Coast. Texas 
Eastman's products are high-volume, continuous processes which operate 
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. On average, the company 
ships more than 9 million pounds per day of chemical and plastic 
products to its consumers worldwide.
  Texas Eastman is one of the largest employers in East Texas with 
approximately 2,700 employees and annual payroll and benefits totaling 
175 million dollars. Eastman also employs some 16,000 men and women in 
30 countries around the world. Committed to working toward an improved 
quality of life for our families, neighbors, and communities, Texas 
Eastman and its employees participate extensively in civic and 
professional organizations throughout East Texas. Additionally, the 
company floods the East Texas economy with hundreds of millions of 
dollars each year through materials, services, freight and local state 
taxes. Since 1981, Texas Eastman has spent hundreds of millions of 
dollars on environmental, operating, developmental, and capital 
projects, on its way to becoming the 9th largest chemical producer in 
the United States.
  Eastman Chemical Company's commitment has not gone unrecognized. In 
1993, Eastman won the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, the 
first chemical company to win this prestigious national award. Texas 
Eastman also received the first Texas Quality Award presented to 
companies that are role models for quality excellence in the State of 
Texas. Additionally, Texas Eastman has received numerous awards for its 
efforts to protect the environment, such as the Environmental 
Protection Agency Administrator's Award for ``outstanding achievements 
in pollution prevention.'' For its significant improvement in the 
state's environment, Eastman also received the ``Excellence in 
Environmental Awareness'' award from the League of Women Voters of 
Texas in 1995. From the ``Best in Texas'' award, the Clean Industries 
2000 Award, the list of honors and accolades bestowed upon Texas 
Eastman are numerous and distinguished.
  ``It is the policy of Eastman Chemical Company to carry out its 
business activities in a manner consistent with sound environmental 
management practices and in compliance with applicable environmental 
laws and regulations.'' These very words are the proud motto by which 
all Eastman employees stand true. The men and women of Texas Eastman 
proudly assume this responsibility as caring citizens, who continue to 
devote their time, talents, and energy as volunteers and civic leaders 
for the betterment of their communities.
  Mr. Speaker, the Texas Eastman Division of the Eastman Chemical Co., 
is a tremendous asset to East Texas. As we adjourn today, let us honor 
and recognize the 50th anniversary of this committed and prosperous 
company.

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