[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF TENSION ENVELOPE COMPANY

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2011

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of the 
125th Anniversary of Tension Envelope Corporation, a prestigious 
family-owned business in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which 
I am honored to represent. In 1886, the forerunner of Tension Envelope 
opened in Kansas City, Missouri, as Berkowitz and Company. Named after 
its founder, William Berkowitz, the company specialized in popular 
advertising novelties and business stationery. In 1894, the company put 
into operation the first envelope machine west of the Mississippi 
River.
  By 1901, the company began to fully concentrate on envelopes, which 
were in great demand by businesses and organizations. William 
Berkowitz's two sons joined the firm in 1907, and the company's first 
envelope patent was issued in 1909. Sons Walter and E.B. Berkowitz 
assumed management of the company as the 1920s approached. Walter soon 
discovered new high-speed envelope folding machinery that had been 
developed in Germany. The company purchased the North American patent 
and distribution rights and brought the equipment into the United 
States, revolutionizing the American envelope industry.
  In 1937, the company acquired another pioneer in the U.S. envelope 
industry, the Tension Envelope Company of Brooklyn, New York. In 1944, 
all of the Berkowitz Envelope manufacturing and sales operations were 
consolidated under the widely recognized name of Tension Envelope 
Corporation. In 1962, Bert Berkley, grandson of the company's founder, 
became President and CEO of Tension. In 1988, Bill Berkley, great 
grandson of the founder, became President and CEO.
  Today, Tension Envelope Corporation is one of the nation's leading 
manufacturers of envelope products, selling directly to companies and 
organizations across the United States. Tension manufactures many of 
the envelopes you see and handle every day. With its headquarters in 
Kansas City, Missouri, the heart of Missouri's Fifth Congressional 
District, Tension produces over eleven billion envelopes a year with 
plants, distribution, and service offices stretching from coast to 
coast.
  Not only have Tension's leaders revolutionized an industry with their 
ingenuity, they are also dedicated philanthropists. Bert Berkley, 
Chairman of Tension, has a long history of participation in local, 
regional, and national civic and advisory councils. He even co-authored 
a book, Giving Back, on the subject of volunteering, sharing with the 
community, and involvement with charitable endeavors. My good friend, 
Richard Berkley, served as Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, for three 
terms prior to my election to that post in 1991. He currently serves as 
Tension's Secretary and Treasurer as well as several area civic 
advisory boards. Current President and CEO, Bill Berkley, has served on 
the boards of several area nonprofits, businesses, and education 
organizations.
  Considering the tremendous contributions of Tension Envelope 
Corporation to Missouri's Fifth Congressional District and surrounding 
areas, it is an honor and a privilege to recognize the leaders and 
employees for their one hundred and twenty-five years of excellent 
service to the Kansas City area and beyond. Mr. Speaker, please join me 
in celebrating the Berkley Family and expressing our gratitude to 
Tension Envelope Corporation for their incredible dedication to both 
their industry and community.

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