[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E269]]
                       TRIBUTE TO KEMMONS WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kemmons Wilson, beloved 
father, friend and businessman, who died February 12 at his home in 
Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 90. An innovative entrepreneur and 
benevolent philanthropist, Mr. Wilson is best known as the founder of 
the Holiday Inns hotel chain.
  Kemmons Wilson was born in Osceola, Arkansas, but spent most of his 
life in Memphis, where he was well respected and well known for his 
business, community and philanthropic involvement. He traveled the 
world developing the hotel chain that made him an international 
business legend. Over the years he visited palaces and dined with 
royalty, yet he always stayed grounded. Kemmons Wilson kept the 
``common man'' in mind because he always thought of himself as one. Mr. 
Wilson came from a background where he and his mother struggled greatly 
after the death of his father, and during the Great Depression they 
both worked hard just to survive. The desire to never be hungry again 
drove Kemmons Wilson to achieve.
  On one fateful trip from Memphis to Washington, D.C. in the early 
'50s, Kemmons Wilson, traveling with five children in tow, found it 
impossible to find nice lodging where they wouldn't be charged extra 
for children. Frustrated but inspired, Kemmons Wilson founded the first 
Holiday Inn, vowing to provide average families with comfortable, 
affordable accommodations. Over the next fifty years, his bold vision, 
pioneering spirit and hard work made him a business icon, and his 
brainchild, Holiday Inn, changed the face of the hotel industry 
forever. Today countless locations and vacations later, the hotel chain 
Mr. Wilson founded is still helping families create lasting memories 
together.
  Kemmons Wilson's generous, life-long philanthropy testifies to his 
devotion to family and community. Whether it was to his church where he 
was a member for 46 years, or to the University of Memphis where he 
built the only Hospitality and Resort Management school of its kind in 
the southeast, Kemmons Wilson gave joyfully and abundantly. He 
remembered how often he had been helped along the way, and he was glad 
to help others in return.
  Mr. Speaker, Kemmons Wilson worked tirelessly to improve the quality 
of life for families around the world, and he will be remembered not 
only as a business legend but also as a caring family man and devoted 
friend who always remembered his roots. I thank the speaker for 
allowing me to honor him today.

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