[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[EXTENSIO]
[Page 14770]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING LINDER'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 2010

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the 100th 
Anniversary of Linder's Garden Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. 
Linder's is a family-owned greenhouse that began as a small business 
selling fresh produce to local restaurants, and has grown into a Garden 
Center selling more than 25 million plants each year.
  In 1910, a Swiss immigrant with humble beginnings named Albert Linder 
brought his horse drawn wagon filled with celery stalks and other fresh 
vegetables to local markets and restaurants. Linder soon found success 
as a result of his hard work and dedication to plants. At its peak, 
this burgeoning small business operated six greenhouses for celery 
seedlings.
  By the 1940's, Linder had stopped using horse drawn wagons because 
trucks enabled him to expand his business to customers located farther 
away. Facing strong competition and celery blight, Linder was 
eventually forced to change the model of his business. He decided to 
move away from celery seedling and focused on cut flowers and bedded 
plants. This change proved profitable for Linder's and allowed Linder 
to remain successful even during difficult economic times.
  Modern day Linder's continues to focus on flowers and plants, but has 
expanded to include green houses, and a garden center which hosts 
educational classes that allow budding urban gardeners to learn more 
about plant care. In 1970, the third generation of the Linder family 
took over the business. Robert, Dave and Lillian Linder have 
successfully continued their grandfather's business and continue to 
make our community beautiful.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in rising to honor Linder's 100th 
Anniversary. I am honored to submit this statement recognizing this 
resilient and successful Saint Paul family-owned business. They are 
truly an example of the American dream being fulfilled. Their hard work 
and dedication have made them a successful Minnesota business.

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