[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E81]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO EMMETT HEITLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to Emmett Heitler and thank him for his extraordinary 
contributions to his community and to his state. As a resident of 
Colorado, Emmett has dedicated his life to improving the state by 
selflessly giving his time and energy to his job, his family and his 
community. His remarkable business and philanthropic accomplishments 
are surpassed only by the level of integrity and honesty with which he 
has conducted himself each and every day of his life. As we celebrate 
his tremendous accomplishment of being inducted into the Colorado 
Business Hall of Fame, let it be known that I, along with the people of 
Colorado, applaud his efforts and are eternally grateful for all that 
he has done for our state and our community.
  Born in Denver in 1909, Emmett excelled academically, graduating with 
honors from the University of Colorado with a degree in engineering 
before he was twenty years old. Shortly after, he took a job with 
General Electric as an electrical engineer, and later became a partner 
and founder of Fashion Bar stores in Denver. After marrying his wife, 
Dot, in 1937, Emmett went to work for Shwayder Bros. Inc., a 
manufacturer of Samsonite Luggage. Over the course of his career with 
Shwayder Bros. and Samsonite, Emmett advanced to General Manager, and 
eventually to Executive Vice President. He was instrumental in building 
Samsonite from a small local business into the world's largest luggage 
manufacturer and pioneered Samsonite's movement into new, cutting edge 
technology, most notably using plastics in manufacturing sleeker, more 
durable luggage.
  Emmett was not only an extraordinary businessman, but he was also a 
true philanthropist. Despite his demanding schedule, he always found 
time to give back to his community and lend a helping hand to anyone 
who might need it. He was active with the Jewish Community Center, 
serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and was a founding member 
of the Mile High United Way. He served as Executive Trustee of the 
Eleanor Roosevelt Institute for Cancer Research, was Chairman of the 
Board of the National Jewish Hospital and was a Member of the Board of 
the Denver Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Emmett has contributed a 
significant amount of time to the Anti-Defamation League, chaired the 
effort to build Temple Emanuel and was instrumental in renovating Green 
Gables Country Club.
  Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Emmett Heitler is a man of unparalleled 
dedication and commitment to his job, his community and his family. It 
is his unrelenting passion for each and every thing he does, as well as 
his spirit of honesty and integrity with which he has always conducted 
himself, that I wish to bring his efforts before this body of Congress. 
He is a remarkable man who has achieved extraordinary things and 
enriched the lives of so many people. It is my privilege to extend to 
him my sincere congratulations on his induction into the Colorado 
Business Hall of Fame and wish him all the best in the future.

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