Leasing News

“AssetControl is laying off at least half the staff today (July 1). They are not going to process any more third party business, only Textron. I hear that Textron is getting back into the leasing business.”

(from a reliable source-name with held )

[headlines]

Norvergence investigated for failing to pay its employees

note: There also is a video on the story

This is from the New Jersey Star-Ledger Dated June 17,2004

Internet company restores service

By Joseph R. Perone, Star-Ledger Staff

About 10,000 high-speed Internet customers of NorVergence were without service yesterday after the Newark telecommunications company failed to make a payment to its network carrier, Qwest Communications.

NorVergence Chief Executive Peter Salzano said the company failed to make a payment to Qwest for the phone lines his company leases. "We had some financial matters that needed to be cleared up," he said. "Qwest had turned off some of our circuits nationally. This was a working capital issue."

Salzano said his company made a payment to Qwest to restore service. "They received what they needed to receive," he said, "and they are turning us back on."

Confused customers initially were told yesterday the NorVergence network was having technical problems. "Their customer service lines were busy for three hours," said Steve Riess, a head-hunter in Chicago. "I haven't had Internet service since 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

Qwest spokesman Claire Mylott said there were no outages within the Qwest network, and cited a "confidential customer matter" in declining further comment.

Leasing News has received many customer and other complaints regarding Norvergence, which have been fielded by management as “normal” complaints “as any telephone company would receive about service.” Leasing News was able to resolve some of them.

Here is one story:

http://www.leasingnews.org/Weekly%20Report/Weekly_Report-10-15.htm

and a response from Robert J. Fine

http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/October%202003/10-17-03.htm#nove

[headlines]

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Free Exhibit Opportunities Introduced At Equipment Leasing Showcase

Lessors.com

ATLANTA, GA - - The Lessors Network announced it would no longer require exhibitor registration fees starting with the Lessors Network Fall Showcase, scheduled August 25-26 from the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead.

Subject to space limitations on a first come basis, registered attendees can reserve exhibit space without additional cost, represent a key marketing opportunity for companies targeting equipment lessors.

In the past, Lessors Network showcases have served as a high profile networking forum for industry professionals representing an elite list of companies including: Allegiant Partners ~ American Appraisal... ~ Amsource Capital... ~ Anderson Young Associates ~ AssetControl Corporation ~ Associates First Capital ~ Bank of America ~ Banc of America Vendor... ~ Bancroft Leasing - ~ Bank One Leasing Corp. ~ Bankers Leasing Company ~ Bell & Howell ~ Boeing Capital Corp. ~ Burr Wolff LP ~ Caterpillar Financial... ~ Chase Equipment Leasing ~ CIT Equipment Financing ~ CIT Technology Finance ~ Citicapital ~ Citibank International ~ Collateral Specialists Inc. ~ Commercial Leasing Corp. ~ Commonwealth Capital Leasing ~ Daimler Chrysler ~ Decision Systems, Inc. ~ De Lage Landen ~ Dell Financial Services ~ Deutsche Financial Services ~ eCredit.com ~ eOriginal, Inc. ~ ePlus Group, Inc. ~ Equilease Financial Ser... ~ Equity Technologies ... ~ Experian ~ Fair, Isaac and Company ~ First Citizens Bank... ~ First Fleet Corporation ~ Fleet Capital Leasing ~ Fortran Group... ~ GATX Capital ~ GE Capital ~ GE Capital Fleet ~ Services ~ GE Capital Rail Services ~ Global Tech ~ GMAC Commercial Mortgage ~ Government Leasing Company ~ IBM Global Financing ~ Information Leasing Corp. ~ International Decision Sys. ~ JLG Industries, Inc. ~ John Deere Credit ~ Key Equipment Finance Group ~ KeyCorp Leasing ~ KPMG Consulting LLC ~ LaSalle Systems Leasing ~ Leasecomm ~ LeasePartners Capital ~ Malvern Hill Associates LLC ~ Marlin Leasing Corp. ~ M/C Leasing ~ McCue Systems Inc ~ MicroBilt Corporation ~ MRC Rail Services ~ NAEDA ~ National Leasing Group ~ NCR Corporation ~ Oracle Credit Corporation ~ ORIX Financial Services Inc. ~ ORIX Public Finance ~ PNC Leasing, LLC ~ Premier Lease & Loan... ~ RBS Lombard, Inc. ~ Republic Financial Corp ~ RVI Group ~ SAP America ~ SG Cowen Securities... ~ Siemens Financial Services ~ Sony Financial Services ~ SouthTrust Leasing ~Sun Trust Leasing Corp. ~ Susan Carol Assoc. ~ Textron Financial Corporation ~ The Alta Group ~ Toyota Financial Services ~ Transamerica Equipment... ~ Transamerica Public Finance ~UCC Direct Services ~ United Capital ~ UPS Capital ~ US Bancorp ~ Vendor Financial Services ~ Vision Financial Group ~ Wachovia Leasing & Equip... ~ Wells Fargo Equipment Finance Inc.

To learn more about the Lessors Network Fall Showcase, visit the Lessors Network web site at www.lessors.com.

ABOUT THE LESSORS NETWORK:

The Lessors Network is a sales & marketing network facilitating new business development opportunities within the corporate and municipal equipment leasing markets. Networking showcases are traditionally held from the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta each spring and fall. Website programs and services provide free access to news, events and important resources facilitating funding/syndication, technology and outsourcing services exclusive to the equipment leasing & finance markets.

Additional information can be viewed at www.lessors.com

Contact:

John O. Semon

semon@lessors.com

[headlines]

Trucker strike continues – latest action seen in Savannah

Landline Magazine

(The official magazine of the independent owners-operators association )

Strikes continued at the nation’s ports as hundreds of independent truckers protested rising fuel costs, anti-union laws, unfair wages and inadequate surcharges to offset the cost of fuel.

The latest activity was reported at the Port of Savannah, where about a dozen people stood outside the port’s entrance in protest. Truck traffic was down about 15 percent from last Monday, port officials told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Savannah Cartage Inc. has relied only on its company drivers the past two days, because the independent drivers they contract with haven't reported for work, according to WTOC-TV in Savannah.

“We're very concerned about it," the company's Kurt Hutchinson told the station. "I'm sure a lot of the other companies are too, big or small. It's going to have an impact as each day progresses.”

Meanwhile, sources told Land Line there is speculation that some carriers are offering incentives to get a few drivers to work. But, overall there more truckers shut down on June 30 than there were on June 29.

For example, the port of Charleston, SC, reported slower-than-normal traffic. About 50 demonstrators carried placards and signs outside port terminals there.

In the meantime, independent truckers, who get paid by the load, have called for the strike to continue through the July Fourth holiday weekend. About 200 independent truckers demonstrated Monday at Port Newark, which is outside New York City and one of the busiest U.S. container ports. Officials also reported trucker protests at ports in Boston, New Orleans and Miami.

Owner-operators are considered independent businesspeople and are forbidden by federal price-fixing laws from negotiating or banding together to talk with employers.

"The only bargaining leverage that these guys have is to withhold services or to threaten to withhold services," said Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Missouri-based Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which has more than 111,000 members.

Talk about a strike has been rumored for more than two months. This latest action stems from protests that began in early May in Los Angeles and spread to other ports in Virginia and Oakland,

Meanwhile, OOIDA is using its lobbying muscle to push for meaningful surcharge legislation. The association believes that with today’s high fuel prices, every shipper should be paying a fuel surcharge adequate to cover costs.

“For any middleman to pocket all or part of the surcharge is a fraud on the shipper and truck owner that should be punishable by law,” Spencer said.

OOIDA has asked lawmakers in Washington, DC, to pass fuel surcharge legislation that will provide a permanent fix to this problem. While some legislators may still be hesitant to offer a legislative fix, OOIDA says, the choice to ignore high fuel prices that bankrupt truckers comes with perils for more than just small-business truckers.

“The entire economic recovery for the nation may well be set back or stalled,” Spencer said. “Port drivers have been among the most abused in years. Steamship lines and railroads have taken full advantage of their bargaining position to beat these guys down bad. It’s not surprising they are angry. And, it’s shameful the only way their legitimate concerns will be addressed is when they threaten drastic action.”

[headlines]

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“Fin Pac” Sold to Allied Capital

Yes, Virginia, it's true, "Allied Capital Announces Agreement to Purchase Financial Pacific Company. Terey Jennings, CLP, vice-president, sent us a copy of the press release:

Announcement to Brokers

Method: via e-mail

To: FP Brokers and Lessors

From: Ted A. Brownrigg

Date: July 1, 2004

We are pleased to announce Allied Capital Corporation has agreed to purchase Financial Pacific Leasing with the expected closing date in August. The press release from Allied Capital is below. We will continue to provide the unique products and high quality service you have learned to expect from Financial Pacific Leasing. If you have any questions just contact your FP Broker Representative.

Allied Capital Announces Agreement to Purchase Financial Pacific Company

Washington, DC, June 30, 2004 – Allied Capital Corporation (NYSE:ALD) today announced that it has agreed to purchase Financial Pacific Company (FinPac), a specialized commercial finance company focused on providing leases for business-essential equipment to small businesses nationwide. The total transaction amount is expected to be approximately $94 million, which includes closing costs and is subject to adjustments. Allied Capital intends to provide both subordinated debt and equity financing for the transaction. The purchase is scheduled to close in the third quarter and is subject to certain closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

“Under the direction of an experienced management team, FinPac's disciplined, conservative approach to underwriting has made the company a leader in small business finance,” said Edward Ross, Managing Director at Allied Capital. “We look forward to adding FinPac to our portfolio because we believe the company has strong financial dynamics and the opportunity to prudently grow its asset base.”

About Allied Capital

Allied Capital is the nation's largest business development company and provides long-term debt and equity investment capital to companies in a variety of industries. The company also participates in the real estate capital markets as an investor in non-investment grade commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligation bonds and preferred shares. The company is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information about Allied Capital, please visit the web site at www.alliedcapital.com, call Allied Capital Investor Relations toll-free at (888) 818-5298, or e-mail us at ir@alliedcapital.com. For all media inquiries, please contact Allied Capital's Marketing Department at (202) 331-1112.

About Financial Pacific Company

Financial Pacific Company is a specialized commercial finance company, which provides lease financing to small businesses nationwide through a network of independent brokers. FinPac's portfolio of $200 million in lease assets covers over 25 categories of equipment, including industrial, food service, data processing, vehicles, trailers, construction, and maintenance equipment. The company, which was founded in 1975, employs over 120 professionals and is headquartered in Federal Way, WA. The company's current majority owner is Windward Capital Partners, L.P. For more information, please visit www.finpac.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained in this press release contains forward-looking statements. These 
forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future 
results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ 
materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements, and these factors 
are enumerated in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.

# # #

Since the announcement of Financial Pacific seeking an IPO, Leasing News has followed up with the underwriters, who kept saying it was waiting approval at the Security Exchange Commission. Evidently the “Fin Pac” board of directors decided to take a direct offer,

as the press release states. No one is talking about what really happened.

Here is a background on the company up to the seeking of the IPO:

http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Fin_pac_prosp_avail-1.htm

[headlines]

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Classified Ads---Help Wanted

Account Executive

Account Executive: Leasing professional in the small to middle market with at least 3 years business development and direct sales experience. Dallas, Denver or Chicago location. Strong commission plan plus benefits. E-Mail tbecker@bankbv.com.

About the Company: Bank of Blue Valley is a locally owned community bank with $600 million in assets. We are one of the leaders in the Kansas City financial community. Our bank offers true community banking with services,
products and convenience for businesses, families and individuals seeking a complete banking relationship. Check out our website @ www.bankbv.com.

Business Development Office

Business Development Officer,leasing exp.,min 3 yrs business & direct sales exp. Banking procedure knowledge helpful. Gilroy, CA location, serving four surrounding counties. E-mail valdezd@1stnational.com or see Career Opportunities www.pcbancorp.com

About the Company: Pacific Capital Bancorp is a $5+ billion, multi-bank holding company dedicated to providing an enduring network of community banks on the Central Coast of California. This unique partnership of independent banks provides customers in six California counties with the financial strength and product diversity of a big bank, delivered with the responsiveness and personalized attention of a local community bank.

Marketing Indirect Origination

MARKETING INDIRECT ORIGINATION:
New York. One of the largest ind. equip.lessors needs motivated, self-starter to purchase single investor leases from institutional investors; min.transaction $1 million; portfolio of primarily investment grade lessees/good "story credits".
Min 3 yrs exp. sourcing/ originating leasing transactions, knowledge credit and pricing.
E-mail: jobposting1@leasingnews.org

Sales

Sales: Long Established West Coast Co., lessor/broker looking to expand. Top commission/salary/bonus. Organized with sales experience in small/mid size leases a necessity. Home office OK. Experienced back office support.
Contact john@odysseyequipfinance.com

About the Company: www.odysseyequipfinance.com

Sales: Established 20-year full service lessor seeks sales professional in small or mid ticket markets. Earn high commissions, with benefits. Russ@pacifica-capital.com

About the Company:
www.pacifica-capital.com

Specialist

Port Leasing Sales Officer - Port of Long Beach: conducts/oversees negotiations for leases, permits, property acquisition; prepares lease proposals; negotiates prop. acquisition; neg. lease agreements with new/exisiting tenants; develops financial info. to analyze lease proposals. College degree expected. Contact: Stuart Satow, CPS Executive Search 916-263-1401, ssatow@cps.ca.gov

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

World Leasing Yearbook 2004

The only annually-updated international reference book for the asset financing and leasing industry available. The new 25th edition includes the latest market trends, over 100 authoritative articles and reports on the leasing software and IT market, an exclusive ranking of the top 50 leasing markets by size worldwide with feature profiles from Africa to Venezuela PLUS a directory of over 4,400 contacts.

HOW TO ORDER - Simply call our Customer Hotline on +44 (0) 20 7779 8999 or toll free in the US +1 800 437 9997.

Alternatively visit https://www.euromoneyplc.com/ to order online

[headlines]

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#### Press Release ##########################

Resource America's LEAF Financial Acquires the

Business of Premier Lease Services, L.C.

PHILADELPHIA--(--Resource America Inc. (NASDAQ:REXI) announces today that its wholly owned leasing subsidiary LEAF Financial Corporation ("LEAF") has expanded its lease origination capability and assets under management with the acquisition of the business of Premier Lease Services, L.C. of West Des Moines, IA. The acquisition includes both a portfolio of small ticket leases with a value of $34 million bought on behalf of its investment partners and numerous vendor finance relationships as well as experienced origination personnel. After this acquisition, LEAF will manage approximately $150 million of leases for its own account, for institutions and third party investors. LEAF management believes that the additional origination capability purchased in this acquisition should enable it to originate over $200 million of additional lease assets for its investment vehicles in calendar 2005.

Premier Lease Services, L.C. is a commercial equipment finance company that specializes in small-ticket equipment leasing and originates, funds, services, and acquires leases in all 50 states. Through established relationships with key equipment vendors such as Maytag, Dixie-Narco and Sears Commercial Appliance, it has originated over $190 million in equipment leases since 1996. In all, over 600 manufacturers, dealers and distributors of equipment to commercial enterprises have taken advantage of "partnering" with Premier.

Crit DeMent, Chairman and CEO of LEAF, said, "We are pleased to welcome Doug Fisher and the other Premier Lease Services team members to the LEAF family. Premier's strategy of originating business through vendors fits well with the LEAF business model and we are excited by the potential of this synergistic combination. Not only does this enhance our origination capability but our investment partners will benefit from the quality of the assets generated by the Premier channel."

LEAF Financial Corporation is a commercial leasing company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. LEAF's business model is to originate small ticket equipment leases by reaching the small to mid sized business market by forming strategic marketing alliances and other program relationships with equipment vendors, commercial banks and other financial institutions. After origination, LEAF manages the leases for its own account, institutions, and individual investors through investment partnerships and other investment vehicles. LEAF Financial Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Resource America Inc. (NASDAQ:REXI).

Resource America Inc. is a specialized asset management company that uses industry specific expertise to generate and administer investment opportunities for its own account and for outside investors in the equipment leasing, financial services energy and real estate industries. For more information please visit our website at www.resourceamerica.com or contact investor relations at pschreiber@resourceamerica.com.

CONTACT:Resource America, Inc., Philadelphia Investor Relations: Pamela Schreiber,

215-546-5005 Facsimile: 215-546-5388

SOURCE: Resource America, Inc.

[headlines]

#### Press Release #########################

NACM Credit Manager's Index (CMI) for June 2004:

Stable Readings Indicate Continued Growth

COLUMBIA, MD: - The National Association of Credit Management (NACM) has released its Credit Manager's Index (CMI) for June 2004. The CMI, a monthly survey of the business economy from the standpoint of credit and collections, was launched in January 2003 to provide financial analysts with another strong economic indicator.

Overall, there was very little change in June's aggregate readings for the CMI and its subcomponents. The CMI-Total Index fell 0.1, the manufacturing component rose 0.5, and the service sector dropped 0.7. The bottom line is that the economy continues to grow at a good clip.

The CMI survey asks credit managers to rate favorable and unfavorable factors in their monthly business cycle. Favorable factors include sales, new credit applications, dollar collections and amount of credit extended. Unfavorable factors include rejections of credit applications, accounts placed for collections, dollar amounts of receivables beyond terms and filings for bankruptcies.

A complete index including results from the manufacturing and service sectors, along with the methodology, is available at:

http://www.two.leasingnews.org/loose_files/CMI_June2004.pdf

The National Association of Credit Management (NACM), headquartered in Columbia, Maryland supports more than 25,000 business credit and financial professionals worldwide with premier industry services, tools and information. NACM and its network of Affiliated Associations are the leading resource for credit and financial management information and education, delivering products and services which improve the management of business credit and accounts receivable. NACM's collective voice has influenced legislative results concerning commercial business and trade credit to our nation's policy makers for more than 100 years, and continues to play an active part in legislative issues pertaining to business credit and corporate bankruptcy.

Contact:

Norma Heim, NACM

410-423-1842

[headlines]

### Press Release #########################

LASALLE SYSTEMS LEASING RELOCATES TO MB FINANCIAL CENTER, ROSEMONT

CHICAGO/ROSEMONT, IL – ( LaSalle Systems Leasing, a subsidiary of MB Financial Bank, N.A., has relocated to the new MB Financial Center at 6111 N. River Road in Rosemont.

The new facility provides expanded office space for LaSalle Systems Leasing, which provides creative and flexible lease alternatives primarily in the high technology arena. Historically their focus has been in the operating lease (off balance sheet) financing and has evolved into providing new and used equipment solutions as well as web based services to customers.

MB Financial will consolidate a number of its administrative and operating departments in the new MB Financial Center during the coming months. MB Financial has been making significant improvements to the Class-A, 11-story office building and adjacent 800 vehicle parking structure located in the greater O'Hare corridor.

MB Financial, Inc. is a Chicago-based financial holding company which is traded on the NASDAQ as "MBFI." MB Financial has more than $4.9 billion in assets. Information about MB Financial can be found at www.mbfinancial.com. MB Financial operates through MB Financial Bank, N.A. in Illinois and Union Bank, N.A. in Oklahoma.

Contact:

Karen Perlman Jeffrey D. Bierig

312-633-0260 847-509-5777

kperlman@mbfinancial.com jbierig@minkuspr.com

[headlines]

### Press Release #########################

GATX Corporation Completes Sale of Information Technology Leasing Assets

CHICAGO, J GATX Corporation (NYSE:GMT) today announced that it completed the sale of substantially all the assets and associated non-recourse debt of its information technology (IT) leasing business, GATX Technology Services, to CIT Group, Inc. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The net book value of the IT assets sold, including non-recourse debt, was approximately $520 million.

Brian A. Kenney, chief financial officer of GATX Corporation, stated, "Both parties worked closely together to complete this sale ahead of the original schedule. I look forward to focusing our full attention on capitalizing on the opportunities in GATX's franchise rail and air businesses."

The agreement to sell these IT assets was previously announced on April 15, 2004.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

GATX Corporation (NYSE:GMT) is a specialized finance and leasing company combining asset knowledge and services, structuring expertise, partnering, and capital to provide business solutions to customers and partners worldwide. GATX specializes in railcar, locomotive, and aircraft operating leasing.

Investor, corporate, financial, historical financial, photographic and news release information may be found at www.gatx.com.

SOURCE: GATX Corporation

GATX Corporation

Robert C. Lyons

(Analysts & Investors),

312-621-6633

Rhonda S. Johnson

(Analysts & Investors),

415-955-3211

[headlines]

#### Press Release #######################

Cisco Systems Sets Guinness World Record with the World's

Highest Capacity Internet Router

Ability to Download the Entire Printed Collection of the U. S. Library of Congress in 4.6 seconds

(Newstream) -- Cisco Systems, Inc. on July the 1st announced that Guinness World Records has certified the Cisco Carrier Routing System (CRS-1) as the highest capacity Internet router ever developed at 92 terabits (92 trillion bits per second) of total throughput, designed to afford up to 100 times more capacity than previously available. The Cisco CRS-1 becomes the first networking technology to be recognized by Guinness World Records, which is the authority on record-breaking achievement around the world.

Cisco's CRS-1, announced in May 2004, is a new class of routing system designed for telecommunications service providers to deliver next-generation data, voice and video services over a converged Internet Protocol (IP) network. This system is ideally suited for large-scale, high-bandwidth applications such as video on demand, online gaming, and real-time interactive services. The IP router, introduced by Cisco in 1984, is the foundation of the public Internet and one of the most important technologies of the past 20 years.

"Cisco is proud to have Guinness World Records recognize the Cisco CRS-1 as the world's highest capacity Internet router," said Tony Bates, architect of the CRS-1 and vice-president and general manager of Cisco's Carrier Core and Multiservice business unit. "The technological advancement of the CRS-1 will provide the capability for Internet services and applications that have never before been available on such a large scale. Millions of people can now look forward to a new suite of exciting, multimedia services both at work and home."

Cisco's innovative and breakthrough routing system achieves the greatest level of speed and network capacity ever attained. The technological advancement of the CRS-1, for example, could make possible the delivery of high-bandwidth services and applications to entire nations. The CRS-1 with 92 terabits of bandwidth capacity, when augmented by adequate network and transmission capacity, would be capable of the following:

Download the entire printed collection of the U. S. Library of Congress in 4.6 seconds, as opposed to a dial-up modem transfer rate of 56 thousand bps which would take 82 years

1 billion people at the same time could play an online game, using real-time voice & chat

Give 872Kbps broadband connection to every household in the United States (105,480,101 households) 15 million people could watch quality video on demand simultaneously, which requires 6Mbps (6 million bits per second) per user

The population of Phoenix, Ariz. (1.3 million) could download a 4 MB song instantaneously. With today's technology, only 9,200 people could download the same song at once Approximately 12,415 people could download a 7.4 GB movie in one second The entire global population (6.4 billion) could have a simultaneous phone call using Voice-over-IP technology

"As the world advances technologically, it is important that we recognize the innovations that will revolutionize global communications," said David Hawksett, science and technology editor at Guinness World Records. "As soon as we saw the numbers, we were delighted to create a brand new category to acknowledge Cisco Systems and this great achievement in networking technology."

The Cisco CRS-1 complements Cisco's existing portfolio of routers that support the world's largest carrier and enterprise networks. The new routing system is the result of Cisco's proven 20-year track record in routing innovations through focused research and development programs. The Cisco CRS-1 provides carriers with high-performance core routing capabilities, and rounds out Cisco's existing carrier-class routing portfolio, which is ideally suited to deliver cost effective and innovative IP services. For information about the Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing System and Cisco's routing strategy, visit: www.cisco.com/go/crs

Availability and Pricing

The Cisco CRS-1 is currently in field trials now with carriers and service providers worldwide and will be available in July 2004. The starting system list price is $450,000 USD.

[headlines]

#### Press Release ########################

Vienna(R) Beef Breaks Record at Taste of Chicago for World's Longest Hot Dog, Measuring a Whopping 37 Feet, 2 Inches

VIENNA BEEF WORLD’S LONGEST HOT DOG

Vienna(R) Beef breaks record at Taste of Chicago for world’s longest hot dog, measuring a whopping 37 Feet, 2 inches. Local youth groups helped dress the Chicago-style hot dog starting with 1 gallon yellow mustard, 1 gallon bright green relish, 4 pounds of chopped white onions, 140 tomato wedges, 70 Vienna Kosher pickle spears, 140 sport peppers and finishing a whole lot of celery salt. The Chicago-style hot dog recipe starts with a Vienna all-beef hot dog served on an S.Rosen’s poppy-seed bun, also made in Chicago. (PRNewsFoto)[AS]

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040701/CGTH021 )

CHICAGO, -- To celebrate National Hot Dog Month,

Chicago-based Vienna(R) Beef assembled the world's longest hot dog, measuring

37 feet, 2 inches. The Vienna hot dog was more than twice as long as the

16-feet, 1-inch dog the company made last year, also at the Taste of Chicago.

At 37 feet, 2 inches, this year's dog also beat the current world record of 34

feet, 5.25 inches made by students from the University of Pretoria and

displayed at the Sonop Hostel, Pretoria, South Africa, on Oct. 18, 2003.

Vienna Beef is the official hot dog of the Taste.

The 37-foot and 2-inch hot dog was set in a record-breaking S. Rosen's

bun. "This year we broke our own record and all others known to date," said

Jane Lustig, vice president of Vienna Beef. "Chicago hot dog lovers witnessed

the giant feat today near Buckingham Fountain and America's Dog," she said.

Vienna obtained some extra help in its record attempt. Local youth groups

helped dress the Chicago-style hot dog. Members of The Latin School of

Chicago's band were on hand to keep the beat.

The Chicago-style hot dog recipe is famous all over the world. It starts

with a Vienna all-beef hot dog, which is made only in Chicago, steamed and

served on a poppy-seed bun, also made in Chicago. Hot dog experts refer to

the condiment process as "dragging it through the garden," starting with

yellow mustard, bright green relish, fresh chopped white onion, two tomato

wedges, a kosher pickle spear, two sport peppers and finishing with a dash of

celery salt.

Assembling the world's longest hot dog, which weighed about 17-1/2 pounds,

required:

-- 7 assemblers, who were chosen from youth and children's groups

attending the festivities

-- a record-breaking S. Rosen's bun with an estimated 125,280 poppy seeds

-- 1 gallon of mustard

-- 1 gallon of bright green relish

-- 140 tomato slices

-- 4 pounds of chopped onions

-- 70 Vienna Kosher pickle spears

-- 140 sport peppers

-- a whole lot of celery salt

Vienna Beef will donate the equivalent amount of food that makes the

world's longest hot dog to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a not-for-

profit food distribution center feeding hungry people in Cook County.

Fun Frankfurter Facts

-- Americans will enjoy 150 million hot dogs on July 4th alone and

consume more than 2 billion hot dogs during the rest of the month with

the summer's total at 7 billion.

-- Vienna Beef produces 750,000 hot dogs a day, using 60,000 pounds of

beef per day.

-- Chicago is home to 1,800 hot dog stands serving Vienna Beef - totaling

more than the top five major fast food chain outlets in Chicago

combined.

-- Chicago ranked No. 4 on the list of the top 10 US Hot Dog Eating

Cities in 2003.

-- The Chicago-style hot dog dates back to 1893 when two young immigrants

brought their frankfurter recipe from Austria-Hungary to Chicago's

World's Fair/Columbian Exposition. The newfangled hot dog sandwich

quickly became Chicago's favorite treat. It wasn't long before the

entire country discovered Vienna.

About Vienna(R) Beef

Vienna(R) Beef, 2501 N. Damen Ave., remains a family-run business, which

began operations in 1893 in Chicago. The Chicago-style hot dog hasn't changed

and neither has Vienna Beef's commitment to quality. Customers know that

Vienna Beef means goodness throughout, from the 100% domestic beef and sweet

brisket trimmings to the high-tech processing and old-world hickory smoking,

all prepared in the company's USDA Establishment #1 approved facility. Vienna

Beef hot dogs are sold at hot dog stands and restaurants; ballparks; zoos; and

country clubs, as well as grocery, warehouse clubs and convenience stores.

Customers know the "V" means pure Chicago flavor, without a single unnatural

additive or undeserved compliment.

About S. Rosen's

A Chicago tradition since 1909, S. Rosen's has a proud reputation for

baking the best tasting deli rolls, buns and breads. S. Rosen's rolls, buns

and breads bring a traditional deli taste to hot dogs, Brats and Italian

Sausage sandwiches. S. Rosen's is a truly delicious way to make a sandwich

special. Its parent company, Alpha Baking, produces three million hot dog buns

a day during the peak summer season.

About America's Dog

With locations at Buckingham Fountain and Navy Pier, America's Dog is

owned and operated by brothers Manolis and George Alpogianis. In addition to

the traditional -- and best-selling -- Vienna Beef Chicago-style hot dog,

America's Dog offers 13 different options including the Milwaukee Dog, the

Baltimore Dog and the Atlanta Dog. Hours at the Buckingham Fountain location

are 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day.

[headlines]

### Press Release ########################

_______________________________________________________________

This Day in American History

1776- the Continental Congress, Philadelphia, PA, having a quorum, voted to adopt a resolution introduced June 7, 1776, by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia: “Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.” This resolution prepared the way for signature and adoption, July 4,1776, of the Declaration of Independence.

http://www.stratfordhall.org/rh-letter2.htm

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/bdsds/lee.html

http://www.richardhenrylee.net/

1777- slavery emancipations was enacted into law by Vermont: “ No male person born in this country or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person as a servant, slave or apprentice, after he arrives to the age of twenty-one years, nor female, in like manner, after she arrives to the age of eighteen years, unless they are bound by their own consent, after they arrive to such age, or bound by law, for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.”

1778- Cyrus Griffin of Virginia, the president of the Congress, announced that the Constitution had been ratified by the required nine states (the ninth being New Hampshire June 21, 1788), and a committee was appointed to make preparations for the change of government.

http://cyrusgriffin.com/

1822-Perhaps one of the events that slowed those advocating freedom was

the ceremony and significance of the hanging of Denmark Vesey. He was the planner of what would have been the biggest slave revolt in US history. Denmark Vesey was executed at Charleston, SC. He had been born around 1767, probably in the West Indies, where he was sold at around age 14 to Joseph Vesey, captain of a slave ship. He purchased his freedom in 1800. In 1818 Vesey and others began to plot an uprising, he held secret meetings, collected disguises and firearms and chose a date in June, 1822. But authorities were warned, and police and the military were out in full force. Over the next two months, 130 blacks were taken into custody, 35, including Vesey, were hanged and 31 were exiled. As a result of the plot, Southern legislatures passed more rigorous slave codes. http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/1861jun/higgin.htm

1863-The second day of the battle of Gettysburg. Both armies faced each

other in a parallel line one mile apart. General Longstreet basically holds back,

disagreeing with General Lee orders, as Longstreet waits. Lee sends in

his best, his right hand fighting force, th