[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S10512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO HARRIS H. SIMMONS

 Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a son of 
Utah and a good friend, Mr. Harris H. Simmons, who today, by the 
selection of his peers, becomes the next chairman of the American 
Bankers Association. I am honored to highlight a few of his 
accomplishments, including his significant contributions to the banking 
world and to the State of Utah.
  Mr. Simmons is currently the chairman, president and CEO of Zions 
Bancorporation. With its corporate offices in Salt Lake City, UT, Zions 
operates in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, 
Utah, and Washington. It is included in the S&P 500 Index, and is a 
national leader in Small Business Administration lending.
  Harris started banking at the age of 16, when as a summer job he 
filed canceled checks at Zions. He continued his work at Zions in the 
investment department as he studied economics at the University of 
Utah. Harris then left Utah for a period as he furthered his studies 
and received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
  Upon graduating, Harris took a job in Houston, TX for Allied 
Bancshares. After a year and a half, he returned to Zions and became 
the chief financial officer at the age of only 27. Nine years later he 
was named president and CEO of the multibillion-dollar asset bank 
holding company which has seen fantastic growth and success as it has 
helped build communities and business under his leadership.
  In addition to his professional accomplishments, Harris has been an 
invaluable member of the Utah community. He has served as president of 
the Utah Foundation, chairman of the Utah Symphony, and chairman of the 
Economic Development Corporation of Utah. He currently serves as 
president of the Shelter-the-Homeless Committee, as well as cochairman 
of the Utah Committee of the Newcomen Society of the United States. 
Most importantly, he is a loving husband and father of four.
  This is but a small glimpse of Harris Simmons' contributions and 
accomplishments. I commend him to my colleagues as they have the 
opportunity to meet with him as he serves in his new role with the 
American Bankers Association. The American Bankers Association is 
privileged to have Harris Simmons as its new chairman.

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