[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29328]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF MICHIGAN SUGAR COMPANY ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 
                           100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute and to congratulate 
Michigan Sugar Company, which celebrates its centennial this year. 
Located in Caro, Michigan, the company represents a vital industry in 
the Fifth Congressional District, that I am proud to represent in 
Congress today. Although families are still bringing in their crops, it 
appears that Michigan Sugar might achieve a record-breaking sugar beet 
harvest this year. Mr. Speaker, I am sure you will agree with me that 
this is indeed a fitting tribute for Michigan Sugar's 100th year of 
operation.
  Michigan Sugar Company received its first delivery of beets from Mr. 
William Brinkman on October 9, 1899. And in that same month the company 
began its processing operations that have contributed greatly to our 
local economy as well as to the livelihood of all our families in the 
area. Today, Michigan Sugar Company's Caro factory is recognized as the 
oldest operating sugar beet refinery in the United States.
  This year, over 250 grower families from Tuscola, Huron, Sanilac, 
Saginaw and Bay Counties farmed nearly 30,000 acres of sugar beets to 
supply Michigan Sugar's Caro factory. This autumn and winter, the Caro 
factory will process approximately 550,000 tons of sugar beets and 
produce over 140,000,000 pounds of sugar.
  In 1898, the citizens of Caro donated the land for the first factory, 
which was named Peninsular Sugar Refinery. That company merged with 
other area refineries in 1906 to form Michigan Sugar Company. And now, 
one hundred years later, Michigan Sugar continues to repay the donation 
of this land for its first factory site by acts of civic achievement 
and contribution. The company remains a strong leader in the community 
through such measures as donating over 75,000 pounds of sugar to non-
profit organizations in the state and community, as well as through 
financial support of these organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite you and our colleagues to join me in extending 
our congratulations to the company's President and Chief Executive 
Officer, Mr. Mark Flegenheimer, the Factory Manager, Mr. Daniel Mashue, 
and to Michigan Sugar Company's many hard-working employees. Michigan 
Sugar Company is an integral part of our prosperous sugar beet industry 
in Michigan, and as such, is important to each and every family in the 
Fifth Congressional District. For one hundred years of being a mainstay 
in our economy, and for the many acts of civic contributions and 
achievements, I would like to say, thank you, and best wishes for the 
next one hundred years.

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