[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E774-E775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      LONGFORD WATER COMPANY, LLC

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 2005

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
efforts of the citizens of Longford, Kansas in their work to create and 
support Longford Water Company, LLC.
  For years, this town of 89 people has had a reputation for providing 
high quality, good tasting water. Road signs near the community 
advised, ``For Good Health and Longevity Drink Longford Water, Kansas 
Purest.'' Groundwater from Longford is clean and soft because it is 
naturally filtered by a distinctive group of underground rocks known as 
the Kiowa Formation. Years ago, communities used to compete at the 
Kansas State Fair regarding the quality of their water. Water from 
Longford was a frequent winner.
  More than a year and a half ago, a group of local individuals formed 
Longford Water Company, LLC. The reason: to research the possibility of 
capitalizing on Longford's reputation for high quality water by 
bottling it for sale. They discovered that most of the bottled water 
for sale has been treated by reverse osmosis, a process used to purify 
water through removal of unwanted chemicals. This procedure is 
expensive and removes natural minerals from the water that contribute 
to good physical health. Due to its high quality, Longford water does 
not need to be subjected to this added expense.
  Following extensive research, the company took the following actions: 
announced that the production facility will be located in Longford; 
agreed to purchase water from the City of Longford; in order to 
minimize marketing and shipping costs, established a marketing 
distribution system that focuses on a 50-mile

[[Page E775]]

area around the community; selected KIOWATA as the marketing name for 
the water and financed the entire project through private funds.
  Because of this team effort, The Longford Water Company is now ready 
to produce, market and distribute KIOWATA water. According to Wava 
Kramer, president of the board of managers, the company has raised the 
real estate tax base of the city, provided local employment and 
contributed to the positive image of the Longford community.
  Ms. Kramer also noted the entire effort has resulted in other 
benefits. ``Langford water has been long known as nature's finest gift 
to Kansas,'' said Kramer. ``Another gift is that the process of 
creating Longford Water Company has brought our community together. Our 
town is small in size but big in spirit.''
  For rural communities to survive and prosper into the future, 
citizens must be willing to create their own opportunities for success. 
The Longford Water Company is an example of how hard work, innovation, 
professional management and community pride can create just such an 
opportunity.
  Citizens throughout the First Congressional District of Kansas are 
working together to enhance the quality of life in their communities. 
Longford Water Company, LLC is a success story that demonstrates how 
teamwork and creative thinking can make a positive difference in rural 
America.

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