[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 56 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CARL LINDNER

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to salute a truly great 
American on the occasion of his eightieth birthday. Carl Lindner is an 
important figure in the history of American business--he is also a good 
man and a dear friend.
  The Carl Lindner story is a genuine, old-fashioned American success 
story. He came from a modest background. He started out delivering 
milk--and ended up owning an ice cream company. And many other 
companies besides!
  He was born in Dayton, Ohio, on April 22, 1919. He grew up in the 
small town of Norwood, in Hamilton County. And he brought the values he 
learned there to the creation of a huge business empire--United Dairy 
Farmers, American Financial Corporation, Chiquita Brands, Penn Central 
Corporation, Great American Communications Company.
  And throughout all of this, Carl Lindner remains today a kind, 
unassuming family man--with the values of a businessman beloved by his 
friends in a small town. A man who cares about others--and about the 
welfare of his whole community.
  It has been said that just about everybody who grows up in southwest 
Ohio spends at least some time working for one of Carl Lindner's 
companies. He is certainly one of the key employers in the entire 
Tristate area, if not the country.
  But he doesn't just help people by employing them. He is also one of 
the most generous philanthropists in America. He is a quiet man with a 
heart of gold--and he works tirelessly to improve the health and 
education of the people of Ohio, our nation, and the whole world.
  Mr. President, America gave Carl Lindner the opportunity to work hard 
and achieve a great deal. And he has given a lot back to this country. 
His most important contribution--is his example. He proves that the 
most important thing in a man's life is not how much money he makes, 
but what he does for people.
  He is not a man who clamors for attention; this week, he is in the 
headlines because of his purchase of the Cincinnati Reds. But the real 
Carl Lindner--the one I know--is a man whose most important priority is 
helping people.
  To Carl Lindner, on his eightieth birthday, the people of Ohio say 
congratulations, and a deep and heartfelt thank you from all of us 
whose lives you have touched!

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