[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF JERRY CLINTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. W. TODD AKIN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2005

  Mr. AKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the 
outstanding citizens of my District.
  Jerry Clinton is a native St. Louisan who is Chairman and CEO of Grey 
Eagle Distributors. Grey Eagle employs more than 175 people in St. 
Louis and has been recognized as one of America's premier Anheuser-
Busch wholesalers.
  Through Grey Eagle and his own personal generosity, Jerry Clinton 
provides financial support to hundreds of philanthropic organizations 
in the St. Louis area each year. One such organization is The St. Louis 
Backstoppers, an organization which assists the families of police 
officers and firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty. 
Jerry created and sponsors the Budweiser ``Guns 'N' Hoses'' annual 
event that features friendly sports competition between area police and 
firefighters. The event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for 
The St. Louis Backstoppers.
  Jerry's vision as a civic leader found its greatest expression in his 
pivotal role in the construction of one of St. Louis' most significant 
public buildings, the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis residents benefit 
extraordinarily from his dedication and vision for a domed stadium in 
the downtown area. Not only did the Dome return St. Louis to the ranks 
of the NFL, but it provides a venue for numerous concerts and cultural 
events, and has hosted both Pope John Paul II and the Rev. Billy 
Graham. The Dome sparked the revival of professional sports in St. 
Louis, as reflected in the Bowl victory and the selection of St. Louis 
to host the 2005 Final Four NCAA basketball tournament.
  In addition to providing a location for world-class sporting and 
cultural events, the Edward Jones Dome has proven to be an important 
economic engine, attracting major conventions to St. Louis that would 
have gone to other cities apart were it not for Mr. Clinton's financial 
leadership in the development of the Dome.
  Having joined Grey Eagle as a dispatcher/cashier when it opened in 
1963, Jerry Clinton personifies what is possible in America with hard 
work and dedication. His generosity and hard work have made St. Louis a 
better place for all its citizens. I ask my colleagues to join with me 
in honoring this fine American today.

                          ____________________