[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 69 (Monday, June 5, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF STUPP BROS. INC.

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President. I rise today to speak in honor of the 
150th anniversary of Stupp Bros., Inc., from the great State of 
Missouri. Five generations of the Stupp family in Missouri have devoted 
themselves to the success and innovation of this homegrown St. Louis 
business. On this milestone in the history of Stupp Bros., Inc., I 
commend the company leaders and employees for their contributions to 
the worldwide business community.
  In 1856, the city of St. Louis was a tremendous boomtown and the 
bustling inland port at the seat of the Mississippi River for pioneers 
heading westward. Thousands of immigrants flocked to the city from 
Italy, Ireland, and Germany in search of a better life for their 
families. One German immigrant named Johann Stupp settled in St. Louis. 
There he founded J. Stupp and Bro., Blacksmiths, a shop focused 
primarily on repairing tools and machinery parts.
  Like many Missourians at the time, Stupp became deeply involved in 
the Union effort as the Civil War unfolded. During the conflict, Stupp 
assisted the work of James Eads in crafting a fleet of ironclad 
gunboats for use in battle by the Union Army. Shortly following the 
war, the blacksmith shop faced hard times. Yet with the aid of his sons 
George, Peter, and Julius, Stupp rebuilt the business as Stupp Bros. 
South St. Louis Iron Works, receiving a charter of incorporation from 
the State of Missouri for building and repairing iron and steel 
structural work.
  After Johann Stupp passed away in 1915, the Stupp brothers continued 
to manage the company with great success. Recognizing the fast changing 
and ever-modernizing world in which they lived, the Stupp brothers 
reorganized the company's services to keep up with the needs of a 
rapidly growing United States. Like their father during the Civil War, 
the Stupp brothers supported World War I by fabricating parts for 
Liberty ships. In World War II, the Stupp Bros. received the Army Navy 
E-Award for its construction of 176 LCTs, which landed allied troops on 
beaches throughout the world in the defense of freedom.
  During much of the 20th century and still today, the Stupp Bros. 
family of companies has provided bridge fabrication, structural steel 
for commercial buildings, custom-made piping for oil and gas, steel 
line pipe coatings, and community banking services. Some of their 
accomplishments have been designing carrying structures for the 
Department of Defense to protect missiles from attack, building two 
straddle-carrier transporters to assist the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, NASA, for the ``moon shot,'' and completing a 796 
mile natural gas pipeline spanning from northwest Texas to Illinois.
  Despite its impressive contributions to the country during both war 
and peace time, the mark of Stupp Bros. is nowhere greater than in the 
city of St. Louis. As the Kiel Center took shape in 1933, Stupp Bros. 
provided the steel for its construction. Later in 1978, the Stupp Bros. 
fabricated over 7,000 tons of steel for the First National Bank 
highrise building in the downtown area. Perhaps of most interest to me, 
given my particular fondness for the St. Louis Cardinals, is that Stupp 
Bros. fashioned the floodlighting and electronic scoreboard for 
Sportsman's Park, the original Busch Stadium.
  Recognizing its responsibility to the community, Stupp Bridge has 
also been a civic contributor to the greater community. In 1951, the 
company launched a charitable trust to be known as Stupp Bros. Bridge 
and Iron Co. Foundation Trust. Over the last 50 years, the foundation 
has generously provided millions of dollars in contributions to local 
and national charities. One of its most notable actions is the 
establishment of a scholarship program which supports the college 
education for the son or daughter of a Stupp employee.
  The story of Stupp Bros., Inc, is one of American determination, 
innovation, and service. For 150 years, the company has been a staple 
among the St. Louis business and industry community. Today, under the 
leadership of Robert P. Stupp, John P. Stupp, Jr., and R. Philip Stupp, 
Jr., Stupp Bros. continues to leave its mark upon the landscape of our 
State. On behalf of all Missourians, I extend my best wishes and 
warmest regards to the Stupp Bros., Inc., family of companies, and 
especially to their dedicated employees and company leaders for their 
150 years in the great State of Missouri.

                          ____________________