[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 101 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SUCCESS FOR WESTERN SUGAR AND THE SCOTTSBLUFF 
                             SUGAR INDUSTRY

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                           HON. ADRIAN SMITH

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
the success of the sugar beet industry in the Panhandle region of 
Nebraska for its relationship with Western Sugar and its various owners 
over the past 100 years.
  Opened in 1909, the sugar beet factory operated by the Great Western 
Sugar Company--along with the development of improved irrigation 
canals--soon made the raising of sugar beets a major agricultural 
industry in Scotts Bluff County and the surrounding areas.
  With the aid of the sugar factory, Scottsbluff was rapidly becoming 
the principal trading center of the valley. As people in surrounding 
farms and villages acquired automobiles, Scottsbluff was invariably 
their destination.
  A century later--through tough economic times and even a tragic 
explosion in 1995--this stalwart factory has proven to be the bedrock 
it was in 1909. The company boasts 260 full time employees (a number 
which grows substantially during harvest) and a $10.6 million annual 
payroll.
  It is not a stretch to say without Western Sugar, there would be no 
sugar beet industry in the Scottsbluff-Gering area. Nearly one-third of 
the acreage in our region is designated for sugar beets--almost all of 
which are processed through the sugar factory.
  Last week we celebrated 100 years of Western Sugar's successful 
processing factory. This success is directly attributable to the 
commitment and dedication of its employees, local businesses, sugar 
beet growers and their families.

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