THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF STUPP BROS. INC.(Senate - June 05, 2006)

[Page: S5426]
 

    Mr. BOND. Mr. President. I rise today to speak in honor of the 150th anniversary of Stupp Bros., Inc., from the great State of Missouri. Five generations of the Stupp family in Missouri have devoted themselves to the success and innovation of this homegrown St. Louis business. On this milestone in the history of Stupp Bros., Inc., I commend the company leaders and employees for their contributions to the worldwide business community.

 

   In 1856, the city of St. Louis was a tremendous boomtown and the bustling inland port at the seat of the Mississippi River for pioneers heading westward. Thousands of immigrants flocked to the city from Italy, Ireland, and Germany in search of a better life for their families. One German immigrant named Johann Stupp settled in St. Louis. There he founded J. Stupp and Bro., Blacksmiths, a shop focused primarily on repairing tools and machinery parts.

 

   Like many Missourians at the time, Stupp became deeply involved in the Union effort as the Civil War unfolded. During the conflict, Stupp assisted the work of James Eads in crafting a fleet of ironclad gunboats for use in battle by the Union Army. Shortly following the war, the blacksmith shop faced hard times. Yet with the aid of his sons George, Peter, and Julius, Stupp rebuilt the business as Stupp Bros. South St. Louis Iron Works, receiving a charter of incorporation from the State of Missouri for building and repairing iron and steel structural work.

 

   After Johann Stupp passed away in 1915, the Stupp brothers continued to manage the company with great success. Recognizing the fast changing and ever-modernizing world in which they lived, the Stupp brothers reorganized the company's services to keep up with the needs of a rapidly growing United States. Like their father during the Civil War, the Stupp brothers supported World War I by fabricating parts for Liberty ships. In World War II, the Stupp Bros. received the Army Navy E-Award for its construction of 176 LCTs, which landed allied troops on beaches throughout the world in the defense of freedom.

 

   During much of the 20th century and still today, the Stupp Bros. family of companies has provided bridge fabrication, structural steel for commercial buildings, custom-made piping for oil and gas, steel line pipe coatings, and community banking services. Some of their accomplishments have been designing carrying structures for the Department of Defense to protect missiles from attack, building two straddle-carrier transporters to assist the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, for the ``moon shot,'' and completing a 796 mile natural gas pipeline spanning from northwest Texas to Illinois.

 

   Despite its impressive contributions to the country during both war and peace time, the mark of Stupp Bros. is nowhere greater than in the city of St. Louis. As the Kiel Center took shape in 1933, Stupp Bros. provided the steel for its construction. Later in 1978, the Stupp Bros. fabricated over 7,000 tons of steel for the First National Bank highrise building in the downtown area. Perhaps of most interest to me, given my particular fondness for the St. Louis Cardinals, is that Stupp Bros. fashioned the floodlighting and electronic scoreboard for Sportsman's Park, the original Busch Stadium.

 

   Recognizing its responsibility to the community, Stupp Bridge has also been a civic contributor to the greater community. In 1951, the company launched a charitable trust to be known as Stupp Bros. Bridge and Iron Co. Foundation Trust. Over the last 50 years, the foundation has generously provided millions of dollars in contributions to local and national charities. One of its most notable actions is the establishment of a scholarship program which supports the college education for the son or daughter of a Stupp employee.

 

   The story of Stupp Bros., Inc, is one of American determination, innovation, and service. For 150 years, the company has been a staple among the St. Louis business and industry community. Today, under the leadership of Robert P. Stupp, John P. Stupp, Jr., and R. Philip Stupp, Jr., Stupp Bros. continues to leave its mark upon the landscape of our State. On behalf of all Missourians, I extend my best wishes and warmest regards to the Stupp Bros., Inc., family of companies, and especially to their dedicated employees and company leaders for their 150 years in the great State of Missouri.