[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 59 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E570-E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE CLOROX COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 26, 2013

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Clorox 
Company--founded and headquartered in Oakland, California--as it 
celebrates the centennial of its founding on May 3, 1913. Since the 
beginning, Clorox has shown a commitment to doing responsible business 
while maintaining a close connection to Oakland and the greater-East 
Bay community.
  Initially named the Electro-Alkaline company, Clorox opened the 
United States' first commercial liquid bleach factory in Oakland in 
1913. In 1916, Mr. William Murray became the company's general manager, 
and with assistance of his wife and fellow entrepreneur Anne Murray, 
began to market liquid bleach for household use. The first seaborne 
shipment of Clorox products left the Port of Oakland in 1921 set for 
the East Coast via the Panama Canal. By 1928 the company was ready to 
go public on the San Francisco Stock Exchange. The Clorox Company 
weathered the Great Depression and went on to play an important role in 
the war efforts during World War II.
  Through the second half of the 20th Century, Clorox's products 
expanded to include a

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broad range of consumer items, including Clorox 2 all-fabric bleach, 
Hidden Valley ranch salad dressing, Kingsford charcoal, KC Masterpiece 
barbecue Sauce, Pine-Sol cleaners, and the Glad brand of products. From 
its first expansion into the Canadian market, it has moved into markets 
in Latin America and beyond.
  Even as its size, marketplace, and product base has grown, Clorox has 
maintained a consistent commitment to Oakland throughout its 100 year 
history in that city. Since its first donation to the Boy Scouts of 
America in 1920, Clorox has demonstrated its spirit of philanthropy and 
engagement in the communities where its employees live and work. The 
company made a conscious effort by moving its headquarters into 
Oakland's downtown in the 1970's as part of a major urban renewal 
project. And, since its creation in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation 
has awarded cash grants totaling more than $87 million to non-profit 
organizations, schools and colleges. In the past year alone, the 
foundation has helped nearly 100 non-profit organizations reach more 
than 26,000 young people in the Oakland area and thousands of others in 
cities across the U.S. The company has also demonstrated a commitment 
since 1978 to the East Oakland Youth Development Center through funding 
and staff volunteer programs.
  Clorox has shown itself to be a leader in making diversity and 
inclusion priorities in its business: The company's five employee 
resource groups (ERGs)--African-Americans Building Leadership 
Excellence (ABLE); Asian; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender 
(Clorox Pride); Latinos for Excellence, Advancement & Development 
(LEAD), and; Support, Heart & Opportunity for Women (SHOW)--show that 
Clorox understands the value of a multicultural and diverse marketplace 
and workplace. Recently, Clorox was recognized as a lead sponsor of 
Remember Them, Champions of Humanity, an inspiring monument in Oakland 
dedicated to global peace in diversity.
  Therefore, on behalf of the residents of California's 13th 
Congressional District, I would like to salute Clorox, and all of those 
who have contributed to its century of success. Thank you for your 
long-term belief in and contributions to our community. Once again, 
congratulations, and I wish you the very best as you strive for another 
100 years of excellence.

                          ____________________