[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E945-E946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF GENERAL MILLS

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2016

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th 
anniversary of General Mills, a company that helped build the state of 
Minnesota and feed our nation. With humble roots beginning in 1866 on 
the banks of the Mississippi River near St. Anthony Falls in 
Minneapolis, General Mills has grown into one of the largest food 
companies in the world, employing thousands of Minnesotans, and other 
workers throughout the world. The General Mills story goes hand-in-hand 
with our state history and the growth of our nation.
  After serving as a general in President Lincoln's Army, Cadwallader 
Washburn moved to Minnesota where he saw the potential of the largest 
waterfall on the Mississippi River to power a major flour mill. It was 
here that the company now known internationally as General Mills was 
born when Washburn built the ``B Mill''--the largest mill west of 
Buffalo, New York, towering 6 stories above the frontier and bountiful 
wheat fields. Tragedy rocked the city when an explosion destroyed 
Washburn's ``A Mill'', killing the entire 14 man night crew. During the 
rebuilding process, Washburn pioneered new safety measures that he 
shared with competitors, so that they may avoid such a tragedy 
themselves.
  On the opposite side of the river, and using the last of his money 
that remained from a previous failed business venture, Charles 
Pillsbury established his own mill. Pillsbury and General Mills would 
become strong competitors, that years later merged into a single great 
company.
  During the depths of the Great Depression, another visionary leader 
at General Mills ushered in a new era of prosperity for the company. 
Under the leadership of James Ford Bell, General Mills created 
blockbuster products like Cheerios, Kix cereal, and Bisquick, which 
achieved his goal of delivering innovations that were embraced by 
American consumers. It was also during this time that Americans met a 
remarkable woman and began sending thousands of letters seeking her 
advice on wholesome cooking. Because of her meteoric rise and enduring 
popularity, it's still a surprise to many she isn't a real person, but 
another invention from the creative minds at General Mills: Betty 
Crocker.
  WWII brought a new era to General Mills and focused the pioneering 
spirit of the company toward the cause of freedom. Engineers who once 
worked on packaging and manufacturing were now producing the most 
cutting edge war time technologies, including the ``jitterbug'' 
torpedo. This sophisticated advance in naval warfare contributed 
greatly to the Allied victory at sea. These innovations also had the 
unintended effect of creating a cottage-industry of well-respected 
Minnesota precision engineering and technology firms.
  Today, General Mills continues to make major contributions to the 
greater good. Through the General Mills Foundation, important work on 
sustainability, food security, and protecting our natural resources is 
demonstrating the best of corporate leadership and responsibility to 
the communities it serves. In 2014 alone, all charitable giving from 
General Mills totaled $150 million; nearly $30 million in grants came 
directly from the General Mills Foundation.
  From its modest beginnings to its global reach today, General Mills 
has shaped the way that Americans and people the world over interact 
with food. These innovations have become some of the most iconic brands 
in the world. From innovating new products, to developing wartime 
technologies, and the historic merger with Pillsbury, General Mills has 
always been a source of pride for the State of Minnesota and the 
nation. Here is to another groundbreaking 150 years.

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