[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING THOMAS BOGGS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 30, 2007

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas Boggs, the CEO 
of Huey's, Inc. of Memphis, Tennessee. Huey's Restaurant is a Memphis 
fixture, which has been serving blues, brews and burgers to its 
regulars for over 35 years with great service and better people. Since 
1970, Huey's has grown from a favorite local hangout in Midtown Memphis 
to become a highly successful family-run restaurant and bar, with 
locations across Greater Memphis.
  Mr. Boggs began his career in music, yet another example of the rich 
culture of Memphis, first playing for Tommy Burk and the Counts and 
Flash and the Board of Directors, before joining the blue-eyed, soul 
group the Box Tops as drummer. The Box Tops were best known for their 
hits ``The Letter,'' ``Cry Like a Baby'' and ``Soul Deep,'' songs which 
are permanent parts of the rock and soul landscape.
  Later, married with children, Thomas finished his history degree 
while waiting tables at T.G.I. Friday's. A business ``natural'', Thomas 
Boggs quickly moved up to Friday's corporate offices in Dallas. But the 
pull of his beloved Memphis was strong. Not long after returning, he 
moved into management at Huey's bar and, using his restaurant 
expertise, expanded the enterprise into a restaurant and, eventually, 
to seven locations.
  Since Mr. Boggs came on board in 1975, Huey's has flourished. It is 
currently in its 22nd year as the ``Best Burger'' in Memphis, according 
to an annual ranking by Memphis Magazine. Mr. Boggs has won the highest 
award given by the 400 members of the Memphis Restaurant Association 
and the Newt Hardin Award, given for outstanding service to the 
restaurant industry. He also received the Jefferson Award in 2002, 
which is given by the American Institute for Public Service in 
recognition for outstanding community and public service.
  Thomas Boggs has been a true public servant in Memphis, continually 
giving of himself to the community. He has served on the Memphis Zoo 
Board, the Aloysius Home board, and as chairman of the Memphis 
Convention and Visitors Bureau. He served as Food and Beverage co-chair 
of the Blues Ball, and has served as both Vice-President and President 
of Memphis in May. He was president of the Memphis Restaurant 
Association as well as the President of the Advisory Board of the Food 
Bank and has been an active participant of Leadership Memphis. 2007 
marks the 18th Earthquake Open, Huey's annual golf tournament which was 
created and is hosted by Thomas Boggs and which benefits the Memphis 
Zoo.
  Thomas Boggs is the kind of citizen who makes us all proud. He gives 
his time, his energy and his heart to make his community a better place 
to live. He is a credit both to his profession and his city. I'm proud 
to call Thomas Boggs my friend and pleased to honor him today on the 
floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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