HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXASS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, November 18, 2010
2010 Ron Paul 56:1
Mr. PAUL.
Madam Speaker, this month Del
Papa Distributing Company is celebrating its
100th anniversary. I am pleased to extend my
congratulations to the owners and employees
of the Del Papa Distributing Company.
2010 Ron Paul 56:2
The Del Papa Distributing Company originated
in 1910 as a wholesaler grocery and
wine business called Celli and Del Papa in
Galveston, Texas. The grocery store was
founded by two Italian immigrants, Frank Celli
and Omro Del Papa, Sr. Misters Celli and Del
Papa ran the business until Mr. Del Papa returned
to Italy in 1920. Mr. Del Papa retained
his business and real estate interests in Galveston
and he returned to Texas in 1930.
Upon his return, Mr. Del Papa established the
0. Del Papa Commission Company, and became
a distributor for the Anheuser-Busch
company. Since the United States was still
under Prohibition at that time, the Del Papa
Commission Company distributed bakerís
yeast, olive oil, and ginger ale. When prohibition
ended, the Del Papa Distributing Company
began distributing beer. In the early
1960s the companyís name was changed to
The Del Papa Distributing Company.
2010 Ron Paul 56:3
The Del Papa Distributing Company has always
been a family business. Over the years,
all of Mr. Del Papaís sons have worked in the
business, including the current chairman of the
board, Lawrence J. Del Papa, Sr., who first
worked for the company in 1939 as a delivery
man. Today, Omero Del Papaís grandson,
Larry Del Papa, Jr., serves as President of the
company, a position he has held since 1988.
2010 Ron Paul 56:4
The Del Papa Disturbing Company has
come a long way since Frank Celli and Omro
Del Papa opened their small grocery store in
Galveston. Today, the company has major distribution
centers in Galveston, Beaumont, and
Victoria, over 2,700 retail accounts covering
17 counties, and 350 employees distributing
over 350 beer brands. There is even a street
named for the company at the intersection of
Business 59 and Del Papa Street in Galveston.
2010 Ron Paul 56:5
The Del Papa Distributing Company has
survived major hurricanes, two world wars,
and the 1947 explosion in Texas City, which
is the worst man-made disaster in American
history. Every time their community has faced
a challenge, the owners and employees of Del
Papa Distributing Company stepped up to help
their fellow citizens. Everyone at the Del Papa
Distributing Company takes great pride in their
tradition of civic and charitable involvement.
The Del Papa Distributing Company has initiated
and assisted with many community service
activities from blood drives to military programs
to disaster relief. The Del Papa Distributing
Company also donates to CASA, Childrenís
Advocacy Center, and The Arts of Victoria,
created a GI Joe/GI Jane holiday care
package project to support the troops who
must spend the holidays overseas away from
their families. The Del Papa Distributing Company
has also been a major contributor to the
fundraising efforts of numerous wildlife organizations
such as Ducks Unlimited, Coastal
Conservation Association and the Rocky
Mountain Elks organization. The Del Papa
Distributing Company has also participated in
the Keep Texas Beautiful Campaigns.
2010 Ron Paul 56:6
The Del Papa Distributing Company is also
a co-founder of the Galveston Black Heritage
foundation and a supporter of the League of
United Latin American Citizens, LULAC. The
Del Papa Distributing Company also partners
with Anheuser-Busch to promote responsible
consumption of alcoholic beverages through
the “Responsibility Matters” program.
2010 Ron Paul 56:7
Madam Speaker, anyone familiar with Del
Papa Distributing Companyís history of civic
involvement should hardly be surprised that
the company kicked off its 100th anniversary
celebrations with the announcement that it
would endow scholarships to 13 community
and four-year colleges located through the 17
counties they service.
2010 Ron Paul 56:8
The Del Papa Distributing Company is truly
a great Texan and American success story
and the companyís long history of civic and
charitable involvement should serve as inspiration
to all. It is therefore my pleasure to
once again extend my congratulations and
best wishes to the owners and employees of
the Del Papa Distributing Company on the occasion
of their 100th anniversary.
