[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 81 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO TOFT'S DAIRY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE-HUNDREDTH 
                        ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2000

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to pay special tribute to an outstanding business in Ohio's Fifth 
Congressional District. On Friday, June 23, 2000, Toft's Dairy will 
host an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social to celebrate its one-hundredth 
birthday.
  Toft's Dairy began in 1900, in Sandusky, Ohio, as the dream of Chris 
and Matilda Toft. The Toft's venture into the dairy business began as 
they started selling milk to customers in their rural area. With a 
great deal of hard work and determination, the Toft family was able to 
obtain a horse and wagon and began hauling large containers of milk to 
the city of Sandusky.
  In 1935, the Toft family began to further expand its operation and 
purchased the Oswald Dairy. With the acquisition of this retail dairy, 
the Toft Dairy operation began and would continue as the business that 
we know today. Over the years, many members of the Toft family began to 
work in the dairy as it expanded its size and scope in serving the 
Sandusky area.
  Toft's Dairy continued its efforts to diversify and grow as it began 
to pasteurize and homogenize milk and make its own ice cream. The 1960s 
and 70s brought enormous growth to the dairy as the company added new 
products, property, and equipment. In fact, in 1968, Toft's Dairy was 
the first dairy in the area to bottle milk in gallon plastic jugs.
  Mr. Speaker, Toft's Dairy is the second oldest dairy still in 
business in the state of Ohio. That is quite an accomplishment. And, 
Toft's Dairy is the only locally owned and operated dairy on the Lake 
Erie shoreline between Lorain and Toledo. Toft's supplies products to 
more than 250 schools and 1,200 customers.
  Mr. Speaker, it is often said that America succeeds due to the 
ingenuity and hard work of her sons and daughters. I think that is 
clear and true statement as the descendants of the Toft and Meisler 
families continue the Toft's Dairy tradition today. At this point, I 
would urge my colleagues in the 106th Congress to stand and join me in 
paying special tribute to Toft's Dairy. We congratulate you on your 
one-hundredth birthday and we wish you continued success far into the 
future.

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