[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E82]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PAYING TRIBUTE TO FRANKLIN AND JOY BURNS

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                           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 Franklin L. and Joy S. Burns for their extraordinary 
contributions to their community and to their state. As residents of 
Colorado, Franklin and Joy dedicated their lives to improving Colorado 
by selflessly giving their time and energy to their jobs, their family 
and their community. Although Franklin has passed, it is impossible to 
forget his extraordinary accomplishments, and we are all tremendously 
grateful to Joy for all that she has done and for carrying on 
Franklin's legacy of achievement, philanthropy and success. As we 
celebrate their induction into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame, it 
is an honor for me to pay tribute to such extraordinary people.
  In 1938, Franklin, a Denver native, went to work the D.C. Burns 
Realty & Trust Company, which was founded by his uncle, Daniel Cochran 
Burns. The company was dedicated to providing affordable housing for 
low-income families, selling houses for only ten percent down long 
before the Federal Housing Authority came into existence. At the age of 
28, Franklin became President of the company and began developing 
subdivisions and shopping centers in and around Denver. Under 
Franklin's leadership, the company developed more than 13,000 pieces of 
property totaling $129 million.
  In 1958, Franklin met Joy Steelman Colwick at a golf tournament at 
Cherry Hills Country Club, and by 1960, they were married. Joy 
immediately contributed to the success of her husband and his company 
and by the 1970s she was making quite an impact of her own. Having 
studied business at the University of Houston, she founded The Women's 
Bank, now known as the Colorado Business Bank, in 1976. She then 
remodeled the Hampshire House, which her husband's company had bought, 
and turned it into what is known today as the Burnsley Hotel, a Denver 
landmark. The hotel opened in 1985 and Joy remained involved with it, 
serving as President until 1993. She now serves as President of her 
husband's company, the D.C. Burns Realty & Trust Company.
  Not only were Franklin and Joy extraordinarily successful in the 
business world, but they also made significant philanthropic 
contributions to their community, city and state. Franklin was active 
in a number of charitable organizations in Denver, including the Inter-
County Regional Planning Commission, Mount Airy Psychiatric Center, the 
United Way and Mercy Hospital. Joy, too, has devoted a significant 
amount of her time and energy to the community. She has been a long-
time volunteer at the University of Denver, serving as the Chair of the 
Board of Trustees and as the President of the University of Denver's 
Pioneer Sportswoman. In appreciation of her tremendous contributions to 
the University, DU named the Joy Burns Ice arena in her honor. Joy is 
also the founder of the Women's Foundation of Colorado, was the only 
female member of the Metropolitan Football Stadium Board and serves as 
President of the Sportswomen Colorado Foundation. -
  Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Franklin and Joy Burns have, for over 
fifty years, made extraordinary contributions to the community of 
Denver through both their business and charitable endeavors. It is not 
only their unparalleled business savvy that I wish to bring before this 
body of Congress, but also their selflessness and love for their 
community. Though deeply saddened by Franklin's passing, I wish to 
extend my sincere congratulations to Joy on their joint induction into 
the Colorado Business Hall of Fame, and want to take this opportunity 
to thank her for carrying on her husband's legacy. We are proud of you 
both!

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