[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E869-E870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN MEMORY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON JENKINS, JR.

                                 ______


                         HON. CHARLES T. CANADY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 1996

  Mr. CANADY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to call attention to the 
House: Florida and the

[[Page E870]]

supermarket industry have suffered a mighty loss. A great 
philanthropist, entrepreneur, family man and friend, George Washington 
Jenkins, Jr., passed away peacefully in his sleep in Lakeland, FL, 
April 8.
  Mr. Jenkins moved to Tampa, FL, in the summer of 1925 hoping to make 
his fortune in the real estate boom, but instead started working in a 
Piggly Wiggly grocery store. It wasn't long after, in 1930, that he 
founded his own business--and a cornerstone to the Florida economy--
Publix Super Markets.
  Jenkins was revered by his peers as a genius in food retailing and 
under his leadership Publix grew to more than 514 supermarkets 
throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
  But Publix is not the sole way Jenkins is remembered. It was his 
kindness, generosity and love for his fellow human being which won him 
favor in the hearts of so many. From his substantial, personal 
contributions to the United Way to his involvement with the Boy Scouts 
of America to philanthropic efforts too numerous to name, Jenkins' 
generosity touched the lives of thousands of people.
  And he continued his service to the community through memberships in 
local organizations. Jenkins had been a Rotary member since 1929; he 
was active in chambers of commerce, the YMCA and his own local church. 
He was also a 33-degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner, and a Jester.
  Few people are born with the genuine, giving spirit that Jenkins 
embodied. His motto for his Publix team was, ``Publix will be a little 
better place to work--or not quite as good--because of you.''
  Today, let us know that this world is a little better place to live 
in because George Jenkins was in it. We will miss him greatly.

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