[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 25 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO RUSSELL GWATNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2006

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, it is with honor I rise today to recognize the 
great achievement of Russell Gwatney, a noted and respected business 
leader in the great state of Tennessee and the nation at-large. Russell 
Gwatney, president for Gwatney Chevrolet, Chevrolet-Isuzu was recently 
named a finalist for the 2006 Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award.
  The Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award is the automobile industry's 
most prestigious and highly coveted award for car dealers. The award 
recipients are among the nation's most successful auto dealers. 
Criteria for the award include recipients' demonstration of a long-
standing commitment to effective community service. As a finalist, Mr. 
Gwatney is one of 66 automobile dealers from more than 19,500 nominees 
nationwide nominated for the annual award--now in its 37th year.
  An Arkansas native, Mr. Gwatney grew up in the car business. His 
father became a Chevrolet dealer when Russell Gwatney was just 6 years 
old. Mr. Gwatney started selling cars in 1973 after an illness caused 
him to leave the University of Arkansas during his junior year. After 
completing undergraduate studies in 1976, Mr. Gwatney returned to the 
dealership in sales management, where he later became general manager 
in 1979 and co-dealer in 1984.
  In addition to his business successes, Mr. Gwatney and his dealership 
have supported a wide range of organizations and philanthropic efforts 
in the community. As well, he has served as chairman for the St. Louis 
Federal Reserve Bank and also member to the executive committee of the 
Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce.
  Mr. Gwatney was nominated for the annual Time Magazine Quality Dealer 
Award by Robert V. Weaver, president of Tennessee Automotive 
Association. Mr. Gwatney lives in Germantown, Tennessee with his wife 
Elizabeth. They have three children, including their two sons John and 
David who have joined the family business.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing and commending Russell 
Gwatney and for this great achievement.

                          ____________________