[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING WALT AND KAREN WORTHY AND THE STAFF OF THE DAVENPORT HOTEL

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                          HON. CATHY McMORRIS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2006

  Miss McMORRIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Walt and Karen 
Worthy and the staff of The Davenport Hotel for ranking among the top 
ten hotels nationwide in customer satisfaction. In a recent survey 
completed by Expedia.com, The Davenport Hotel was the only Pacific 
Northwest hotel on the list. The Davenport Hotel also ranked third on 
Expedia.com's traveler's picks for the top ten four-star hotels 
nationwide.
  Originally built in 1914 by Mr. Lewellyn ``Louis'' Davenport, The 
Davenport Hotel quickly became known around the world. It was the first 
hotel to have air conditioning, a central vacuum system, housekeeping 
carts, and accordion ballroom doors. Mr. Davenport sold the hotel in 
1945 and the hotel was eventually closed in 1985.
  Mr. Worthy and his wife, Karen, purchased The Davenport Hotel in May 
2000 after most lost hope that the abandoned hotel would ever regain 
its grand status among hotels in America. Through their hard work and 
personal financial investment, they, along with their staff, have 
restored The Davenport Hotel to its once world famous status. To this 
day, the motto of Mr. Davenport remains their own:
  ``In all things, the hotel sincerely tries to so well please its 
guests that they will be glad they came, sorry to leave and eager to 
return.''--Louis Davenport. 1914, Walt Worthy, 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Mr. and Mrs. Worthy and the 
staff for their exceptional service to the city of Spokane and the 
nation, and to thank them for the role they have played in revitalizing 
the downtown area of Spokane, Washington. I invite my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating Walt and Karen Worthy and the staff of The 
Davenport Hotel on this hard earned, and much deserved, rank among the 
top ten hotels nationwide for customer satisfaction.

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