HR1054LRB098 21051 GRL 58782 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the Village of Stockton
4and the reunion of the Kraft family as they celebrate to 100th
5anniversary of J.L. Kraft coming to Stockton to start a cheese
6manufacturing plant that grew into an international company now
7known as Kraft Foods; and
 
8    WHEREAS, This history of this cheese plant started when J.
9L. Kraft, seeking a quality cheese product in June of 1914,
10began production under the management of his brother, Norman
11Kraft; dairy farmers in the area were encouraged to increase
12milk production all year round and sell that milk to Kraft;
13their goal was to improve the cheese-making process and produce
14a better product; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The Village of Stockton was chosen because of
16accessibility to the railroads to transport the cheese to the
17cities and the large number of dairy farmers in the area,
18producing a plentiful milk supply; and
 
19    WHEREAS, During World War I, the Stockton plant was used
20for research and continued development of better cheeses and
21packaging; this made it possible to send cheese to our troops
22and to war-torn countries after the war; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Kraft realized that quality cheese required
2quality milk, which resulted in developing dairy farm sanitary
3facilities guidelines and herd health standards which are still
4part of the dairy industry today; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Macaroni and cheese, a food enjoyed for many
6centuries, was introduced by Kraft Foods in 1937; this boxed
7macaroni and cheese, which sold for 19 cents, became a staple
8for many households in the Depression-era; other products
9developed were Velveeta Cheese, Wright's French Dressing, and
10Milani's Mayonnaise; and
 
11    WHEREAS, In 1930, the Kraft-Phenix Cheese Corporation was
12acquired by National Dairy Products, but Stockton continued its
13research for new cheese varieties; with the start of World War
14II, cheese production grew and improved packaging provided
15quality food for American troops and starving people in Europe;
16and
 
17    WHEREAS, The Stockton plant still produces large amount of
18Swiss cheese, maintaining the high standards of quality
19established a hundred years ago by J. L. Kraft; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Honored at the Kraft reunion will be the Bill and
21Mary Borsdorf family, which continues in the footsteps of their

 

 

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1Bill's grandfather, Nicholas, who was the first dairy farmer to
2sell milk to Kraft in Stockton in 1914; Bill and Mary's family
3dairy farm continues the 100-year history of supplying milk to
4the cheese plant in Stockton; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The series of events for the anniversary will
6include a parade and an open house to view the Kraft and dairy
7exhibits at the Stockton Heritage Museum; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
9NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
10we congratulate the Village of Stockton and the members of the
11J.L. Kraft family on the 100th anniversary of the beginnings of
12a small cheese plant to the giant corporation that exists
13today; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
15presented to Village of Stockton, the Stockton Heritage Museum,
16the Kraft family, Stockton Cheese, and the Bill Borsdorf
17family.