By: Montford S.R. No. 1095
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, One of the most enduring Texas institutions that
1-3 has added to the fame of our state is the Finck Cigar Company of
1-4 San Antonio; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1993, the
1-6 Finck Cigar Company was established by William Henry Finck who came
1-7 to San Antonio from New Orleans because of health problems; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Mr. Finck brought his large family with him and
1-9 opened his small cigar factory with $1,000 he borrowed against his
1-10 life insurance; moving his family into the upstairs of a house in
1-11 an area south of Fort Sam Houston, he converted the downstairs into
1-12 Finck Cigar Company and began making handmade cigars with the brand
1-13 name WHF; and
1-14 WHEREAS, Although there were 18 other cigar factories in
1-15 San Antonio at the time, Mr. Finck developed a thriving business
1-16 in the Alamo City and, in 1909, when he became a charter member
1-17 of the exclusive Travis Club, his success was secured; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Mr. Finck began manufacturing a private brand
1-19 exclusively for the enjoyment of Travis Club members; the Travis
1-20 Club cigar eventually became the company's biggest seller and
1-21 is known throughout Texas among cigar smokers and nonsmokers alike;
1-22 and
1-23 WHEREAS, Today Finck Cigar Company is the only cigar
2-1 factory in Texas and has long since expanded its line of cigars
2-2 to include such favorites as the Sam Houston, Pancho Garcia, and
2-3 imported Lamb's Club and Charles the Great that are handrolled
2-4 in the Dominican Republic; and
2-5 WHEREAS, The company sold its cigars only in Texas until
2-6 1989 when by popular demand it began mail order sales; appealing
2-7 to the cigar-smoking public, the cigars sell themselves without
2-8 the need for advertising; and
2-9 WHEREAS, The company has remained a family enterprise; when
2-10 the founder retired, his son took over; grandson Bill Finck, Jr.,
2-11 stepped into the business to help out his father and ended up
2-12 running the company; his son, Billy, helps his father operate the
2-13 business that employs 85 workers; and
2-14 WHEREAS, Rafaela Sanchez is celebrating her 75th anniversary
2-15 as an employee with Finck Cigar Company; she has worked with three
2-16 generations of the Finck family and her hard work and loyalty have
2-17 served as an inspiration for the hundreds of employees through the
2-18 years; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Using only the finest tobacco, Bill Finck travels
2-20 extensively to find the best for his cigars and uses an assortment
2-21 of tobaccos from Kentucky, Connecticut, Virginia, and the Carolinas
2-22 to produce his superior product; he makes his own blends using
2-23 Latin American tobaccos to create his version of the fabled "Havana"
2-24 cigar; and
2-25 WHEREAS, A man of many talents, Bill Finck is a lawyer by
3-1 profession, a former state representative from 1967 to 1973, and a
3-2 rancher; the company's best salesman, he is an expert on tobacco who
3-3 knows the cigar business from top to bottom and handrolls his own
3-4 samples; and
3-5 WHEREAS, His hallmark in Austin at the statehouse was
3-6 Mr. Finck's ever-present box of cigars he passed around to fellow
3-7 legislators; one of the best-liked and most respected
3-8 representatives, he served his constituents well and chaired the
3-9 House Appropriations Committee; and
3-10 WHEREAS, For cigar enthusiasts, several new cigars specially
3-11 created for the 100-year celebration include Texas Club Texan, Travis
3-12 Club Centennial, and a special edition Travis Club Senator in a golden
3-13 anniversary wooden box; now, therefore, be it
3-14 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-15 73rd Legislature, hereby extend congratulations to the Finck Cigar
3-16 Company on the grand occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it
3-17 further
3-18 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-19 the staff of the Finck Cigar Company as an expression of the high
3-20 regard of the Texas Senate with best wishes for continued success
3-21 in the years to come.
3-22 _____________________________________
3-23 President of the Senate
3-24 I hereby certify that the
3-25 above Resolution was adopted by
4-1 the Senate on May 27, 1993.
4-2 _____________________________________
4-3 Secretary of the Senate
4-4 _____________________________________
4-5 Member, Texas Senate