[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 85 (Monday, June 24, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF THE 75TH BIRTHDAY OF KOOL-AID

 Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Madam President, few childhood 
experiences span the generation gap as successfully as Kool-Aid. Many 
of today's business leaders started down the road to financial success 
by standing at a folding table in their front yard selling one-cent 
cups of refreshing Kool-Aid.
  While the business of Kool-Aid now spans front yards around the 
globe, I am pleased to say that the very first Kool-Aid entrepreneur 
was a Nebraskan.
  Edward Perkins had a curious young mind and at age 11 he began 
experimenting; transforming the back of his father's mercantile store 
in Hendley, NE, into a flavor factory. The early experience he gained 
would come in handy 27 years later in Hastings, NE, when Perkins 
created Kool-Aid. The delicious drink was a hit and quickly became a 
household name.
  The story of Kool-Aid is the perfect illustration of the value of 
perseverance. Perkins was dedicated to his business and worked hard as 
an innovator for many years before finally creating the drink that 
would make him famous, and Hastings, famous.
  Hastings celebrates Kool-Aid days with the world's largest Kool-Aid 
stand every August. They also show their Nebraskan hospitality by 
serving Kool-Aid at rest stops throughout Nebraska. There are currently 
22 flavors of Kool-Aid and it is no wonder that the current best 
seller, Tropical Punch, has a Husker red color glow to it.
  For all these reasons and many more I am proud that Kool-Aid is the 
official State soft drink of Nebraska and wish it a very happy 75th 
birthday.

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