TITLE: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Texas Basket Company of Jacksonville.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Texas Basket Company of Jacksonville.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Texas Basket Company of Jacksonville is celebrating its 100th anniversary on May 2, 2019; and WHEREAS, Located on the same Myrtle Drive site since at least 1919, Texas Basket Company was originally known as the Slover Box Company; it made containers for transporting produce at a time when Jacksonville was known as the "Tomato Capital of the World"; and WHEREAS, The name of the company changed twice in the early decades as owners took on new business partners; in 1977, J. C. Swanson and his son, Martin, purchased the enterprise, and after Martin Swanson bought out his father a few years later, he adopted the company's current name; and WHEREAS, Mr. Swanson has expanded the product line from bushel and half-bushel baskets to more than 200 different types of baskets, crates, display racks, and other items; in the 1980s, Southern Living magazine featured the company in an article, resulting in a stream of visitors, and the Swansons subsequently opened a retail store at the factory; and WHEREAS, One of the nation's few remaining basket manufacturers, TBC produces thousands of items daily for sale to farmers, local shops, mail-order businesses, and stores across the country, including such well-known retailers as Williams Sonoma, Whole Foods Market, Pottery Barn, and Dollar Tree; in addition, it has a number of customers overseas; and WHEREAS, Many members of the extended Swanson family have been involved in TBC operations over the years; in 2013, the Texas Historical Commission presented the firm with the Texas Treasure Business Award in recognition of its long history of contributions to the state's prosperity; and WHEREAS, For the past century, the Texas Basket Company has created jobs and helped to strengthen the economic vitality of Jacksonville, and its remarkable longevity as a local, family-owned business is a source of pride to the community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Texas Basket Company and extend to all those associated with this noteworthy enterprise sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the company as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Clardy Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1310 was adopted by the House on April 24, 2019, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House