[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1163-E1164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF WILSON WATKINS WYATT, SR.

                                 ______


                             HON. MIKE WARD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 1996

  Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding 
Kentucky leader and statesman. Unfortunately, we lost this incredible 
man at the beginning of this month marking the end of a long life 
dedicated to public service. Wilson Watkins Wyatt, Sr., was a committed 
servant to the city of Louisville, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as 
well as the United States.
  He began his long career in politics as a young lawyer, founding the 
Young Men's Democratic Club in Louisville. A natural leader, his peers 
recognized his promise and urged him to run for mayor of the city. He 
agreed and was elected to the post in 1941, 1 week before the Nation 
entered one of the world's most tragic wars.
  During his term, Wilson Wyatt worked for the betterment of the city 
implementing new programs to aid citizens during the war and programs 
for those patriotic veterans lucky enough to return home. Most notably, 
he created the Louisville Area Development Association which developed 
a plan for growth of the community in the post-war era. His talents 
easily recognized, President Roosevelt requested him for a special 
assignment to assess Allied needs in Africa during the war. Moreover, 
dedicated to civil rights years before the climax of the movement, 
Mayor Wyatt was committed to appointing African-Americans to city 
boards, increasing the number of minorities in the police force, and 
eliminating salary differences based on race.
  After his tenure serving Louisville, he was called on by President 
Truman to serve his country as Administrator of the National Housing 
Agency. He created a program to encourage construction of low-cost 
housing for re- 

[[Page E1164]]

turning soldiers, helping to stimulate the post-war economy and provide 
homes for our most deserving veterans.
  After serving as campaign manager and personal advisor to the 
Presidential campaigns of Adlai Stevenson, Mr. Wyatt ran for lieutenant 
governor alongside Bert Combs and served Kentucky by concentrating on 
the future of agriculture, forests, atomic energy, research, and 
industry within the State. He crowned his political service with an 
appointment as a special emissary to negotiate an oil agreement with 
Indonesia on behalf of President Kennedy.
  After his various experiences in elective office, Wilson Wyatt 
remained dedicated to the constituents he was so eager to serve. He put 
his leadership skills to work in developing Leadership Louisville, an 
organization built to breed outstanding leaders for our city for the 
next generation. A dedicated philanthropist, he led efforts to 
establish the $12 million Regional Cancer Center of Louisville as well 
as the Kentucky Center for the Arts. He served on the boards of many 
local organizations such as the Louisville Area Chamber of Commerce, 
the Louisville Heart Association, University of Louisville Board of 
Trustees, and the American Heritage Foundation.
  Wilson Wyatt was a symbol of service and commitment to his fellow 
countrymen. His life in both the public and private sectors was always 
focused on the betterment of society and his influence in Louisville, 
in Kentucky, and in the Nation, will be continually felt.