[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE BALLREICH'S COMPANY OF TIFFIN, OHIO AND THE 
                  150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE POTATO CHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 2, 2002

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
recognize an indelible institution in Ohio's Fifth Congressional 
District. In this, the 150th anniversary year of the potato chip, the 
Ballreich Potato Chip and Snack Company has been producing some of the 
best snack foods known to northwestern Ohioans.
  The Ballreich Potato Chip and Snack Food Company was started in the 
1920s by Fred Ballreich. Fred began his entrepreneurial journey into 
the snack food business while he was just a teenager while working in a 
bakery that was owned by his sister. With the end of World War I, Fred, 
and his wife Ethel, decided to venture into the arena of small business 
ownership. Peeling and frying the potatoes by hand, the Ballreichs 
turned the love of making potato chips into a fledgling business. Soon 
after the start of this small operation, Fred persuaded his brother 
Carl to join the venture, and thus, the Ballreich Brothers partnership 
began.
  As demand for these snack foods began to grow so did the Ballreich 
Brothers' business. To meet that demand the Ballreich's moved into the 
age of technology and began to mechanize their means of production. 
Today, a multitude of conveyors and industrial size machinery allow the 
company to produce over 2,000 pounds of the famous potato chip in one 
hour.
  The Ballreich Company is a brand name within the northwest Ohio 
region, and is becoming nationally recognized. As individuals venture 
out from the region and take this regional tradition with them around 
the country, it allows others to become familiar with this beloved Ohio 
product.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize this company for all of its 
contributions to Ohio, including its commitment to all of the employees 
and their families who diligently work to keep this Ohio tradition 
alive. Also, it is appropriate to recognize the 150th anniversary of 
the potato chip, an institution within itself that has engrained itself 
into the American culture. In addition, I want to wish all of the 
Ballreich Company family the best. You are an example that not only is 
the American Spirit stronger than ever, but that the American Dream is 
alive and well.

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