[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 9 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THANK YOU, MARS, FOR THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE M&M'S

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2002

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I stand before this chamber today 
to recognize the efforts of one of the Commonwealth of Virginia's 
foremost corporate citizens Mars, Incorporated based in McLean, 
Virginia. The Mars family and Mars associates have a long history of 
support for this nation. Mars, Incorporated's M&M's were a favorite of 
American GIs serving in World War II. In those days, the candy was 
packaged in cardboard tubs, and were both sold to servicemen and 
included in C-rations. They were a convenient snack that traveled well 
in any climate. Today, American servicemen and women will commonly find 
M&M's in the ``Meal-Ready-to-Eat'' packages issued to them in the 
field.
  Immediately following the attacks on September 11, Mars associates 
wanted to do something to help the rescue and recovery efforts in New 
York City and at the Pentagon. These plant associates came up with the 
idea of producing special M&M's, in Red, White and Blue colors, to be 
distributed to the rescue and recovery workers carrying out their duty 
in lower Manhattan and at the Pentagon. Mars associates produced and 
sent rescue and recovery workers over 500 cases of these special M&M's.
  As word of these special candies circulated, Mars, Incorporated has 
been deluged with requests from consumers for the Red, White and Blue 
M&M's. In response, Mars, Incorporated is partnering with the American 
Red Cross to develop a program through which Red, White and Blue M&M's 
will be made available for retail sale with 100% of the profits going 
to the American Red Cross disaster relief funds. Red, White and Blue 
M&M's are also on their way to military commissaries around the 
country.
  In the same spirit, other Mars, Incorporated facilities and 
subsidiaries also stepped up to help. On the date of the terrorist 
attacks, a company promotional vehicle was in Boston. When Mars, 
Incorporated became aware of the attack on the World Trade Center, it 
immediately diverted its vehicle to New York, initially to Shea 
Stadium, where media reports indicated that rescue workers would be 
congregating after their shifts. With its working kitchen and self-
contained power generation, the New York Police Department dispatched 
the vehicle to Ground Zero. Beginning on the evening of September 11, 
the vehicle and crew provided over 10,000 hot meals, along with coffee 
and snacks.
  I stand today in salute of the efforts by Mars, Incorporated. May 
their actions be a guide to other corporations, demonstrating that 
successful corporations can also be good corporate citizens and lend a 
hand in our nation's time of great need.

                          ____________________