[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 38 (Monday, March 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING THE ROCK ISLAND GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE BEN FARRAR 
          INSURANCE TEAM ON BEING THE FACE OF BIG LEAGUE CHEW

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 4, 2019

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Ben Farrar 
Insurance softball team of the Rock Island Girls Softball League on 
becoming the face of Big League Chew. This is the first time in the 38 
years the gum has been offered that women have been on the cover.
  Big League Chew is one of the most famous bubble gums in the world, 
and the Ben Farrar Insurance softball team is on the cover of the 
packaging. George Stege, who represents Big League Chew, and Ben 
Swanson, who coaches the girls, formed a friendship that led to this 
wonderful debut of girls on the cover of the packaging where only boys 
had been before. The group of teenage girls from Rock Island helped 
make this happen by inspiring George Stege to take this idea to his 
team at Ford Gum Company. Not knowing that this would be something the 
company would consider, given they have such an iconic logo, the team 
was excited to hear the news that they would be the face of Big League 
Chew and inspire female athletes everywhere.
  It is because of dedicated leaders such as George Stege, Ben Swanson 
and members of the Ben Farrar Insurance softball team that I am 
especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam 
Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate the Rock Island 
Girls Softball League's Ben Farrar Insurance softball team for being on 
the cover of Big League Chew's packaging.

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