[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF UPS

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2007

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring the 100th anniversary of UPS.
  In 1907, Jim Casey founded the American Messenger Company, in Seattle 
Washington, with $100 borrowed from a friend. Within its first 12 years 
in business, the company would change its name to Merchants Parcel 
Delivery and then to United Parcel Service. That name lasted until 2003 
when the company adopted the acronym, UPS, familiar to customers 
worldwide, as its official corporate name.
  The world has changed drastically in the 100 years since Jim Casey 
started his delivery business in Seattle. UPS has not only adapted to 
those changes but it has been an industry leader through the innovative 
ways it conducts its business. In 1907, most deliveries of the American 
Messenger Company were on foot. Longer distances required the use of 
bicycles for transportation. Deliveries included, as the initial 
company name implied, messages as well as parcel deliveries from 
merchants and meals from local restaurants.
  The reputation of the American Messenger Company grew because of the 
guiding principle of the founder, ``best service and lowest rates.'' As 
their reputation and business expanded, the company also increased its 
territory, first to include the entire west coast, then to the New York 
City market in the 1930's. Through aggressive battles with regulating 
agencies, UPS finally expanded its territory nationally to be the first 
package delivery company to have access to every address in the 48 
contiguous states in 1975.
  As the company's territory expanded, it had to also adapt to the 
evolution of its core business. As the landscape of transportation and 
communication improved dramatically in the early part of the 20th 
Century, the need for messenger service declined. With gas and rubber 
rationing imposed during World War II, many stores cut back on their 
customer deliveries. Customer demand for rapid service necessitated the 
need for air transportation. The need for real-time information on 
delivery status required new technologies and information systems. With 
each of these developments, UPS not only adapted, but led the industry.
  Today, UPS is a global corporation that not only delivers packages 
but provides management and information services to meet the growing 
demands of their customers. UPS continues to be innovative. As an 
example, they have the largest fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles in 
the industry, traveling a combined 126 million miles since the year 
2000. Through all of its growth and innovation, UPS remains true to its 
founder, Jim Casey's slogan, ``best service and lowest rates.''
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
management and employees of UPS as they celebrate their 100th 
anniversary.

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