[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 133 (Wednesday, October 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN LASTING MEMORY OF PERRY CAMPBELL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 19, 2005

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a close 
personal friend of mine, Perry Campbell, the most prominent figure in 
the hospitality business in Hope, Arkansas for more than 50 years. He 
passed away on October 10, 2005 at a Texarkana hospital at the age of 
77.
  Perry led a life committed to public service. He was the namesake, a 
founding member, and eventually the mayor of Perrytown. He was founding 
member of Providence Memorial Baptist Church in Perrytown, a member of 
the Board of Directors of Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce and 
its 1994 Citizen of the Year, one of the founders of Hempstead County 
Ambulance Service and Perrytown Volunteer Fire Department. He also 
served on the Life Word Board and the Clinton Birthplace Foundation 
Board.
  A successful entrepreneur, Perry began his business career as the 
proprietor of a single truck stop and eventually became the owner of 
Western Sizzlin' Restaurant, Dos Locos Gringos Restaurant, Best Western 
Motel and a Holiday Inn Express in Hope. Perry understood more than 
most the importance of changing with the times and his adaptability 
placed him in a league of his own. Western Sizzlin' Restaurant recently 
celebrated its 20th anniversary on Perry's 77th birthday, a day 
declared `Perry Campbell Day!' by the City of Hope.
  Some of my earliest and fondest memories growing up just outside of 
Hope are going to Perry's truck stop for dinner on Saturday nights with 
my parents. It was a genuine weekend treat. Back then, and up until a 
few months before Perry's death, part of the dining experience was 
seeing Perry at Western Sizzlin' as he would always make it a point to 
visit your table to ensure you were pleased with your meal. Perry 
understood the importance of the personal touch in the restaurant 
business.
  For many people, Perry was the embodiment of the hospitality 
industry. Perhaps his most shining moment was when Perry was inducted 
into the Arkansas Hospitality Association Hall of Fame in 1996, after 
serving on the Arkansas Lodging Association Board and as its President 
from 1993-1994. He also received the Golden Key Award in 1995.
  Perry was an exceptionally driven man with an entrepreneurial spirit 
second to none. He had an extraordinarily generous spirit, but never 
desired public recognition for his many contributions to the community. 
My heartfelt condolences go out to Perry's family, business associates, 
and the many people who join me in counting him as a friend. I have 
lost a true friend and will miss him, but his legacy will live on in 
Perrytown, Hope, and Arkansas for generations to come.

                          ____________________