[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 2, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING A.W. ZENGELER CLEANERS ON THEIR SESQUICENTENNIAL

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                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 2, 2007

  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 150th 
Anniversary of Zengeler Cleaners, a well established family-owned 
business in my district. The Zengelers exemplify the highest work ethic 
and the very spirit of achieving the American Dream.
  John Zengeler established ``The New York Steam Dye Works,'' a 
clothing cleaning business, at 208 South Clark St. in Chicago in 1857. 
He then moved the business to S. Prairie St. in 1866, which was 
destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. He rebuilt on S. Cottage 
Grove Ave. in Chicago and John's eldest son Arthur W. (``A.W.'') 
Zengeler joined his father in the business in 1896. They opened a new 
location as A.W. Zengeler Cleaners in 1906.
  In 1930, A.W.'s sons, Ralph, Art and AI, became active in the 
business, with Ralph becoming the third generation of leadership in 
1948. Following that tradition, Ralph's son Robert became the fourth 
generation to lead the family business; and three of Robert's six 
children--Robert, Jr., Michael, and Thomas--became the fifth generation 
of the Zengeler family to join the business. Six years ago, Thomas 
Zengeler became President and the fifth generation leader of the 
family-owned company.
  Over the years, Zengeler Cleaners has grown to seven stores in Lake 
and Cook Counties, with an eighth store planned to open later in 2007. 
The business is now home to 145 employees, 27 of whom have been with 
the company for 20 years or more. It is a strong contributor to our 
local economy in the 10th Congressional District of Illinois.
  This year we pause to celebrate the company's 150th Anniversary and a 
proud history in which it overcame the Great Chicago Fire, the Civil 
War, two World Wars and the Great Depression, emerging as one of the 
premier fabric care specialists in the United States.
  I commend the Zengeler family for successfully passing down their 
proud work ethic and commitment to quality for 150 years and through 
five generations.

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