[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 188 (Thursday, November 29, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7236-S7237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING CAXTON PRINTERS

 Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize an Idaho 
small business that has helped spread knowledge and information across 
the great State of Idaho and the entire western United States. As 
chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship, it is my honor to recognize Caxton Printers as the 
Small Business of the Month for November 2018. Founded over 100 years 
ago, Caxton Printers provides high-quality printing and publication 
services to the greater Boise, ID, community.
  Caxton Printers' roots can be traced back to 1895 when Albert E. 
Gipson moved his family from Colorado to Caldwell, ID, to establish a 
publishing house. In 1903, Gipson's publishing company, the Gemstate 
Rural Publishing Company, began printing a horticultural magazine for 
Idaho farmers named the Gemstate Rural. Following the success of the 
Gemstate Rural, Gipson reorganized the company and expanded his 
commercial printing business. As part of this reorganization, Gipson 
named the company Caxton, after the famous English printer, William 
Caxton.
  In 1907, Albert Gipson's son, James Herrick Gipson, took the reins of 
the company from his father and continued the family business. Under 
J.H. Gipson's leadership, the company grew significantly and began 
printing school textbooks. The State of Idaho named Caxton the official 
Idaho State Textbook Depository in 1927. To this day, it continues to 
serve as a State distribution center for textbooks, technology, and 
education supplies for Idaho's public schools.
  In addition to printing and school services, Caxton Printers is also 
known for publishing original materials. The company established its 
publishing division in 1925 with the publication of Fred E. Lukens' 
Idaho Citizen, which later became a textbook in Idaho's State education 
curriculum. By 1936, Caxton had published over 100 books of both 
fiction and nonfiction. Several of the authors published by Caxton went 
on to become known nationally and internationally for their work, 
including novelists Vardis Fisher and Ayn Rand. Caxton remains active 
in the publishing field today and continues to support the dreams of 
hopeful authors.
  As Caxton has grown and prospered it has remained a family-owned and 
-operated business throughout its history. J.H. Gipson's two sons, Jim 
Jr. and Gordon, grew up working in the factory alongside their father. 
When J.H. Gipson passed away in 1965, Jim, Jr., became company 
president while his brother, Gordon, became vice president. In 1991, 
Gordon was named president and Jim, Jr.'s son David became vice 
president. Currently, the company is led by the fifth generation of 
Gipsons, with Jim, Jr.'s grandson Scott Gipson running day-to-day 
operations.
  Caxton continues to focus on the core services on which the company 
has built its reputation. The company offers custom printing solutions 
for a variety of needs for each client. Printing services include 
promotional materials, brochures, calendars, booklets,

[[Page S7237]]

and newsletters, as well as more niche options for customers' specific 
requests. Caxton believes that printing is only one part of a finished 
product and works with customers throughout the process to deliver the 
highest quality product possible.
  Caxton Printers is also known for its generous support of several 
Idaho charities and nonprofits, such as the Caldwell Foundation for 
Educational Opportunity, Buy Idaho, and the University of Idaho Vandal 
Scholarship Fund. Several of Caxton's employees also serve on the 
boards of various charitable organizations including the Caldwell 
Chamber of Commerce, the Caldwell Economic Development Council, and the 
College of Idaho. Caxton Printers' rich history, commitment to 
education and literature, and support for local philanthropic causes 
exemplify our Idahoan values. I would like to extend my sincere 
congratulations to the Gipson family and all Caxton employees for being 
named the Small Business of the Month for November 2018. I wish you the 
best of luck, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and 
success.

                          ____________________