LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Ball
Metal Beverage Corporation, Wallkill Can Plant

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the mile-
stones of those businesses within the State of New York which contribute
to the economic health and vitality of the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 40th Anniversary of the Ball Metal Beverage Corporation, Wall-
kill Can Plant, to be celebrated on Thursday, May 12, 2011, in
Middletown, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Wallkill Can Plant began its production in 1971, under
the ownership of Reynolds Metals Company; it continued operations under
Reynolds until 1998, when it was acquired by Ball Metal Beverage
Container Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Since its founding, Ball has grown from a small producer of
wooden-jacketed tin cans to an international manufacturing company with
a cutting-edge aerospace business; Ball is recognized around the world
for its high-quality metal food and beverage containers, and for its
leading aerospace technology products and services; and
WHEREAS, The five founding Ball brothers, Edmund, Frank, George, Luci-
us and William, started the company in 1880, in Buffalo, New York; two
of the brothers, Frank Ball and Edmund Ball, borrowed $200 from their
Uncle George, a minister, to go into business selling wood-jacketed tin
containers to hold paint, varnishes and kerosene; and
WHEREAS, The Ball brothers named their business the Wooden Jacket Can
Company; their product was so successful they expanded their line; soon,
the brothers had refined their original product to tin-jacketed, glass-
lined containers; and
WHEREAS, In 1884, the renamed Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Compa-
ny began manufacturing the home canning jar, which soon made Ball a
household name; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Wallkill Can Plant and its 175 employees represent
the tradition of Ball Corporation, efficiently manufacturing a quality
packaging product, with the safety of its employees first and foremost
in mind, while contributing to the sustainable future of our environ-
ment; and
WHEREAS, The Wallkill Can Plant's effort to make its operation a model
for a sustainable workplace include recycling 100% of its scrap alumi-
num, reducing its electrical, gas and water consumption, and efforts to
bale and recycle its waste plastics, paper and cardboard; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the Wallkill Can Plant has made signif-
icant contributions to its local community through its sponsorship of
local athletic teams, as well as its yearly participation in the Holiday
Adopt a Family program; furthermore, this remarkable company was the
recent recipient of the 2010 United Way Spirit of Caring Award; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges this exceptional business and its contributions to the local and
State economies, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the
sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Ball Metal Beverage Corporation,
Wallkill Can Plant; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Ball Metal Beverage Corporation, Wallkill Can Plant.