Senate Resolution 101

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND FOURTH-GENERATION LEGACY OF F.E.B. DISTRIBUTING AND CAPITAL CITY BEVERAGES COMPANY.

WHEREAS, we join the Central Mississippi business community and citizens in recognizing the anniversary of a world-class business; and

WHEREAS, in February 1934, Salvador J. Bertucci, operating out of Gulfport, Mississippi, founded the S.J. Bertucci Company, now known as F.E.B. Distributing Company, Inc. The brands distributed at that time originated from the New Orleans area, where approximately 10 brewers were in operation. The company was appointed the distributor for the Mississippi Gulf Coast for JAX beer that same year; and

WHEREAS, later in 1941, Salvador J. Bertucci opened a company in Jackson, distributing brands to the Central Mississippi territory in what is now known as Capital City Beverages; and

WHEREAS, in 1946, Salvador J. Bertucci's son, Frank E. Bertucci, joined the company, hence the name being changed to F.E.B. Distributing Company. In the 1960s, F.E.B. Distributing Company was appointed the exclusive distributor for the Miller Brewing Company, as well as acquired imported Heineken for the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and

WHEREAS, as the years passed, the third generation of the family joined the business as S.J.'s grandsons and brothers, Frank and Paul Bertucci, started leading F.E.B. Distributing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, F.E.B. Distributing was relocated to its final and newly built home, a state-of-the-art office, warehouse, and vehicle maintenance facility in the Light Industrial Park of the Seaway Industrial Park in Gulfport, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, F.E.B. Distributing and Capital City Beverages are now employed and run by the fourth generation of the family; they have worked for 90 years as family owned and operated businesses; and

WHEREAS, today, these companies offer a full-line of alcohol, nonalcohol, and light-spirit-based products covering all categories: including domestics, imported beers from around the world, craft beers, wine coolers, flavored malt beverages, and light wines and spirits. These companies have built and sold a portfolio of products offering world-class beverages alongside excellent customer service for four generations in 22 counties that employ more than 230 employees in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, beginning as a distributor of one brand on one truck, both F.E.B Distributing and Capital City Beverages now proudly represent more than 30 supplier partners. They are two of the leading distributors in the State of Mississippi and are positioned to continue the journey of growth and success alongside the ever-expanding Mississippi Gulf Coast and Central Mississippi areas:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the 90th Anniversary Celebration and Fourth-Generation Legacy of F.E.B. Distributing and Capital City Beverages Company, and extend to the Bertucci family and their employees our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Bertucci family and the management of F.E.B. Distributing, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.