TITLE: Recognizing the Texas Basket Company on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the Texas Basket Company on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Texas Basket Company for 100 years of service and the citizens of Jacksonville who are celebrating Texas Basket Company Day in Jacksonville, Texas on May 2, 2019; and WHEREAS, The Texas Basket Company was established as the Slover Box Company around 1919 to serve farmers with their tomato crops in and around the Jacksonville area; the company grew with local demand to become one of 57 basket factories in East Texas and Louisiana, and today, it thrives as the only remaining basket company in the region; and WHEREAS, The Texas Basket Company has operated at its current location since its founding a century ago, and employees continue to use machinery that dates back as far as the 1930s; the company was rebranded with a Texas name by its current owner, who bought the store with his father in 1977; since that time, production has expanded from two types of baskets to around 200 different types of baskets, crates, and display racks; and WHEREAS, The Texas Basket Company is a full-process industry, and logs used for the baskets are prepped and steamed on-site; staff members produce between 5,000 and 12,000 baskets each day, and finished products are sent to local markets, roadside farm stands, and high-end retailers in all 50 states; and WHEREAS, The employees at the Texas Basket Company are part of a historic industry in East Texas, and all associated with the business can indeed take pride in 100 years of success; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby commend the owners and staff of the Texas Basket Company for continuing a long-standing tradition in basket making in the Lone Star State and congratulate them on a century of service; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the company as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Nichols President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 16, 2019.