Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-05-14

HARRIS BAKING COMPANY

Taxes

Context

On 2026-05-14, Representative Steve Womack (R-AR-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HARRIS BAKING COMPANY" in the House.

Full Text

HARRIS BAKING COMPANY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)] [House] [Page H3458] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HARRIS BAKING COMPANY (Mr. Womack of Arkansas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a business in my district celebrating its 100th birthday this month. Harris Baking Company of Rogers, Arkansas, began operations back in 1926 under the leadership of Earl A. Harris. During the Great Depression, the bakery team produced up to 250 loaves each day and sold them for a mere ten cents a loaf. Mr. Harris, grateful for his employees, made sure during that difficult time that none of those employees missed a check. He expanded it in 1937 and upped the daily production to 1,200 loaves a day, and, in 1950, a slicing and wrapping operation was added. Earl Harris died in 1959, but the legacy of his company ensued. With serious competition from national brands, a group of independent grocers purchased the bakery from the Harris family, the first to be owned by independent retailers in the United States. By 1978, Harris Baking Company was producing 1 million loaves a year, and by the time it celebrated its 60th anniversary, it boasted 100 employees producing 75,000 units a day, a $250 million impact on the local economy. Today, the company has 180 employees and distributes more than 30 million loaves annually. Deliveries occur three times a week in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri. It is not just about the bottom line. Harris Baking Company routinely helps with disaster relief when our citizens are suffering a hardship. Mr. Speaker, the book of Matthew says: ``Give us this day our daily bread.'' Harris Baking Company of Rogers, Arkansas, has been delivering this basic food staple now for 100 years. Congratulations to this outstanding company, and here is to another century of quality service. ____________________

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HARRIS BAKING COMPANY Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)] [House] [Page H3458] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HARRIS BAKING COMPANY (Mr. Womack of Arkansas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a business in my district celebrating its 100th birthday this month. Harris Baking Company of Rogers, Arkansas, began operations back in 1926 under the leadership of Earl A. Harris. During the Great Depression, the bakery team produced up to 250 loaves each day and sold them for a mere ten cents a loaf. Mr. Harris, grateful for his employees, made sure during that difficult time that none of those employees missed a check. He expanded it in 1937 and upped the daily production to 1,200 loaves a day, and, in 1950, a slicing and wrapping operation was added. Earl Harris died in 1959, but the legacy of his company ensued. With serious competition from national brands, a group of independent grocers purchased the bakery from the Harris family, the first to be owned by independent retailers in the United States. By 1978, Harris Baking Company was producing 1 million loaves a year, and by the time it celebrated its 60th anniversary, it boasted 100 employees producing 75,000 units a day, a $250 million impact on the local economy. Today, the company has 180 employees and distributes more than 30 million loaves annually. Deliveries occur three times a week in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri. It is not just about the bottom line. Harris Baking Company routinely helps with disaster relief when our citizens are suffering a hardship. Mr. Speaker, the book of Matthew says: ``Give us this day our daily bread.'' Harris Baking Company of Rogers, Arkansas, has been delivering this basic food staple now for 100 years. Congratulations to this outstanding company, and here is to another century of quality service. ____________________